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Trinidad & Tobago striker Dwight Yorke says helping his country to qualify for the World Cup would be the crowning glory in his successful career.


Trinidad meet Bahrain on Saturday in the first of a two-legged play-off and Yorke, 33, says the country is buzzing.

"I've been very fortunate to win great things with Manchester United, but the ultimate would be to qualify for the World Cup finals," he told BBC Sport.

"We all just cannot wait for the game and no one is more excited than I am."

He added: "It is an absolutely massive game for us, they both are. It's an amazing time for any country, let alone our tiny little country in the Carribean.

"It's an amazing achievement just to be where we are but for us the job is not done yet.

"We have put ourselves in a very, very strong position and we want to capitalise on it.

"These opportunities don't come along very often in one life, let alone Trinidad & Tobago's.

"It's the biggest stage of anyone's career. The World Cup is the biggest spectacle in the world, more than the Olympics, there is so much to play for."

Yorke ended an unhappy spell with Birmingham City in April and signed for Sydney FC in the new A-League, which kicked off in Australia in August.

With the Socceroos themselves facing a World Cup play-off against old foes Uruguay, Yorke admits it is a crucial time for the sport in Australia.

"It's no secret that for the league and the sport in this country to progress we need the Socceroos to do well," said the Trinidad skipper.

"I would definitely like to see them in Germany next year but it's not an easy task.

"Uruguay are an opponent they are familiar with having lost the last time around in a play-off, but you look at the Australia side and there is a lot of talent there.

"I definitely think they have got a good chance but they have to make sure they all turn up on the day and they don't need me to tell them that.

"Look at Mark Viduka, one of the best strikers around when he's in form, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton - they're a strong enough team to get the right result.

"It's a two-legged game and it can swing both ways and hopefully they can do a fantastic job and we will all be celebrating at the end."

Yorke believes representing his country at the World Cup finals would be the perfect way to cap off his career.

"I'm 33, I never thought I would represent my country on the highest stage at a World Cup.

"Growing up as a kid this was what you wanted most. It would be the most amazing thing in football for me."