The Trinidad and Tobago football team were confident of winning the Asian/CONCACAF playoff and booking a spot in the 2006 World Cup in Germany despite Bahrain having the advantage going into the final leg.
Utility player Kenwyne Jones still seemed to be lost in the moment as he related his experiences in Bahrain at the VIP Lounge at Piarco Airport, as the T&T "Warriors" returned yesterday to much fanfare, music, and a robust crowd that was probably one of the biggest-ever public gatherings.
"...Trinidad and Tobago has been waiting for this moment for a long time, since 1989," Jones told the media.
"I think as we all knew...all the players, all the coaches, and all the staff knew that it was the time we were going to make it. I think we showed that in spirit, in the fight even though we had some ups and downs, we showed it and we came out and did what we had to do."
The former St Anthony's College player was lost for words as he tried to describe what it meant to him as the youngest member of the starting XI to make it to the World Cup his first time out.
"Well, to me, I can't really describe it. I was jumping up and down, and a few minutes later, I just had to really sit down and soak it in. I had to shed some tears because I mean it's my first, first, first stint with the national team, my first two years. And we made it to the World Cup, so I have big hope for the future."
Some of the other Warriors returning home included CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh players Aurtis Whitley and Cyd Gray, striker Stern John, goalkeepers Kelvin Jack and Clayton Ince, Densill Theobold, Scott Sealy, Carlos Edwards, and the man of the moment, lanky Wrexham defender, Dennis "Tallest" Lawrence, scorer of the goal which gave T&T a 1-0 victory in Bahrain.
From as early as noon spectators lined the streets from Piarco Junction all the way to the airport with vehicles adorned in red. From then on, traffic was almost at a standstill, as it became a real difficulty to negotiate BWIA Boulevard heading into the airport, and worse for those heading in the opposite direction.
And following the official proceedings-where dignitaries such as Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Minister of Sport Roger Boynes and several other ministers, as well as football officials including T&T Football Federation special advisor Jack Warner and president Oliver Camps-the motorcade involving the players moved at snail's pace as traffic piled up miles ahead.
People abandoned their cars waiting for the truck carrying the players, as well as other huge vehicles with thunderous music systems blaring celebratory soca.
Supporters rejoiced, following the bandwagon as if affected by the pied piper.
If one had to go deaf, this would definitely have been on the leading list of choices for most of the fans, as they savoured the moment, allowing themselves to be swallowed up by the sea of jubilance as a nation welcomed home their history-making football team, standing still to embrace their own who had made them so proud the day before.