FIFA vice-president and Trinidad and Tobago football magnate Jack Warner said, in the build-up to the 2007 Digicel Caribbean Cup, that it was important for the national side to emerge victorious, if only to reaffirm their elevated status since the 2006 Germany World Cup finals.
Alvin Corneal, chairman of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) technical study committee and former national coach and player, suggested to the Express that coach Wim Rijsbergen needed a good showing to keep the faith of the local public.
But who knows what to make of Trinidad and Tobago's second place finish at the recently concluded Caribbean tournament?
On Tuesday, the hosts fell at the last hurdle as they lost 2-1 to first-time champions, Haiti, in the regional final.
It was, arguably, no less than either team deserved. Haiti was the competition's most balance team and, in the end, possessed enough guile and firepower to deny Trinidad and Tobago's sometimes dazzling individual play.
Rijsbergen's men did not choke. They were undone by a more cohesive unit and, although disappointing for partisan supporters, there is no shame in that fact. Captain Densill Theobald led his troops to the peak of their capabilities but, sadly, it meant silver rather than gold medals.
A pertinent question, though, is exactly what do the results over the past week mean to Trinidad and Tobago's football and their desire to build on their recent World Cup stint?
In fact, how has anything since the team's return from Germany convinced supporters about the seriousness of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's (T&TFF) 2010 South Africa World Cup mission statement?
Relations between the local organising body and clubs under their aegis have soured during the tenure of Rijsbergen and his Dutch compatriot and former boss, Leo Beenhakker, to the point that one of the Pro League's top outfits, CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, refused to release players for the regional international tournament.
Dealings between the T&TFF and their top players are even worse. Within months of the proudest moment in the history of local football, the two parties were threatening strikes and mass sackings and, at present, they communicate primarily through lawyers and tense press releases.
And the Hasely Crawford has not met its 22,000 capacity since a World Cup Playoff fixture against Bahrain, almost two years ago, while letters to the various newspaper editors discussing the affairs of the football team now seem a thing of the past.
Even the local media have turned their attention elsewhere.
No media house sent a crew to Japan or Austria for last year's friendly matches while even an impending lawsuit between players and administrators is shifted to the sport section when, a year ago, a sneeze from star Dwight Yorke was front page news.
Under such circumstances, it is difficult to determine whether T&T football is going forward or stuck in reverse and exactly what role Rijsbergen has to play in the affair.
There certainly were positives to be taken from the recent tournament, which was smoothly run thanks, in large part, to the clearly pro-active stance of title sponsors, Digicel.
It warmed the heart to see 28-year-old playmaker Kerwin Jemmott back in national strip although it is the Superstar Rangers star's ability to stay focused, rather than provide dazzling cameos, that will determine the importance of his recall.
Twenty-three-year-old United States-based defender Osei Telesford also made a promising start to his senior career and deserves the chance to further his education alongside more senior counterparts like Dennis Lawrence, Brent Sancho and, in particular, Marvin Andrews.
In a strange but enjoyable twist, Joe Public attacker Gary Glasgow, the team's oldest player at 30, was the best find of them all. Fleet of foot and brain, Glasgow ignored his paltry international strike record to lead the national offence to within touching distance of the Caribbean Cup.
Elsewhere, some established names enhanced their claims to the red, white and black strip. VibeCT105 W. Connection goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams, 22, is not yet at the level of overseas custodians, Kelvin Jack and Clayton Ince, but looked a good alternative and worthy successor with several spirited performances.
Theobald, the Caledonia AIA playmaker, also seemed to grow in stature with every outing as captain.
Some of his link-up play was reminiscent of former general, David Nakhid, and there could be no higher praise for a player in the deep-lying midfield role.
The team thrilled in spurts but struggled to keep possession and often looked susceptible at the back where they failed to keep a clean sheet in a single outing.
Haiti made the hosts pay for their shortcomings in the final and the difference between the team was $312,5000 ($50,000US) as the winners collected a cheque for $750,000 ($120,000US).
Still, the "Soca Warriors" will join Haiti, Guadeloupe and Cubaat the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup this June. Hopefully, the T&TFF would have sorted out their differences with the country's most experienced players by then.
The negotiating skills of Warner and TTFF general secretary Richard Groden are at least as important to the country's future international image as Rijsbergen's coaching capabilities as the Warriors make their first tentative steps towards South Africa.