Still basking in their 3-2 victory over Guatemala on Saturday evening, Trinidad and Tobago’s senior footballers took the opportunity on Sunday to extend gratitude to the local public and other well wishers for their support before, during and after the pulsating affair at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
A proud captain Dwight Yorke said it was undoubtedly one of the more touching moments for him when he experienced the backing of the fans following the victory.
“We must say a special thanks to the fans for coming out in all their numbers and portraying the red, white and black and giving that extra force in what was obviously a crucial victory for us,” Yorke said.
Team manager Bruce Aanensen said it was a fact that the support did reach through to the team members who felt they could only repay the fans with such a fighting performance, one down to the wire as it turned out.
“The guys have always mentioned the need for proper support and they got that on the day. There’s nothing more that we could have asked for and now the fans also have something to take home with them and to take on for the rest of the campaign because our aim is to crown this off by going all the way,” Aanensen told TTFF Media.
“It’s been an overwhelming feeling for everyone but we are back to work and will have to get it right again for Costa Rica on Wednesday.”
Double goalscoring hero Stern John admitted that he wasn’t pleased by the harsh criticism but he was happy that he rose to the occasion.
“I was really happy to hit the target again and it came when it mattered most. The fans have been on my back and it’s not something to feel good about but they still came out there and gave us that support which we needed and we give thanks to them for it. Hopefully it can continue and we can move even closer to qualifying now,” John said.
TTFF President Oliver Camps said it was truly one of the best matches he had experienced since the 1990 “Road to Italy” campaign.
“Everything about Saturday’s victory was something to relish. I cannot recall ever feeling this way since 1989 and I must say that we appreciate the support of the fans and others who contributed to the event and from a Federation standpoint we feel the same way about what coach Leo Beenhakker and his team produced out there.”
TTFF special advisor Jack Warner added too “The Journey to Germany has come alive and it will remain alive. The display was one of determination and passion and one can only be truly delighted to see what transpired on and off the pitch. It gave the people a sense of hope, the man in the street, the little children, those of all classes and race celebrated on Saturday and we all know what this can do for our country,” Warner said.
Followin a light workout at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Sunday morning, Beenhakker and his team will now depart for San Jose, Costa Rica at 7am on Monday with there being one change to the squad from the Guatemala match. Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence comes in for Avery John who is out of the match on two yellow cards while National Quarries North East Stars player Glenton Wolfe has been added to the roster as a 19th player.
Squad for Costa Rica
Kelvin Jack, Shaka Hislop, Ian Cox, Dennis Lawrence, Atiba Charles, Cyd Gray, Silvio Spann, Brent Sancho, Marvin Andrews, Glenton Wolfe, Russell Latapy, Carlos Edwards, Dwight Yorke, Chris Birchall, Aurtis Whitley, Densill Theobald, Stern John, Scott Sealy, Jason Scotland,