ALMOST as if Trinidad and Tobago no longer mattered, Bahrainis are already celebrating reaching their first World Cup.
After holding the Caribbean team to a 1-1 draw in Port of Spain on Saturday, the Gulf nation of just over half a million inhabitants is boasting as if already assured of becoming the smallest country to qualify for a World Cup. The feeling is reminiscent one of 16 years ago, when T&T held the United States 1-1 in the US early in the qualifying campaign, only to fall 1-0 at home when needing just a point.
Yesterday, there was celebration at the Bahrain International Airport as customs officers took a siesta to discuss the implication of their side's draw with the "Warriors". And while the men from Bahrain celebrated their achievement, earlier in New York, Trini ex-patriots were also upbeat about T&T's chances of World Cup glory.
Back in the New York customs department, an officer with T&T roots was hoping for a Warriors victory. He had been in the United States for 26 years since leaving Madras Street, Cunupia. And although he confessed that New York was now his home and he would not be returning to T&T, he nevertheless was backing the Warriors all the way.
Midday yesterday, Bahrain was a cool 24 degrees Celsius, almost temperate by T&T standards. Although the sun did peek out, there was a distinct chill in the air. However, it was a far cry from the four-degree chill in New York and similar night time temperature in London.
Bahrain's capital Manama is a modern Arabic city. Even on Sunday, there were men clad in white Arab wear everywhere and women with hijabs clad in black. But regardless of how they dressed, yesterday belonged to the Asians. Quite hospitable, they informed all who wanted to hear of the 1-1 draw in Port of Spain. And accustomed to stifling defence and improved home performances by their team, they seemed certain that the home team will get the required result on Wednesday at the Bahrain National Stadium. One local even volunteered to translate one Arabic conversation.
"They are saying that it is over for Trinidad and Tobago. I think we will win 3-0, some say 2-0."
The Bahrainis confessed that they were not impressed by what they saw of T&T on Saturday, stating that maybe the occasion got to the Warriors. Still they feel they are the better team. The consensus among the Bahrain customs department is that by the time T&T reached there last night. they would be both dispirited and dog tired.
Most, did not expect coach Leo Beenhakker's men to recover from either the result or their disappointment at Saturday's result. Personal experience says that Beenhakker's boys will indeed be very tired. It is a tediously hard trip to Bahrain in which one has to fly almost 16 hour straight. Doing that after a hard game could well be hard labour.
Dutchman Beenhakker probably will not be able to do anything this morning with his team and may have just a light recovery session this afternoon. Beenhakker may instead have to content himself with doing all his work tomorrow, before playing on Wednesday. But, all is not lost for T&T, since a single goal or a high scoring draw (2-2, 3-3) will be enough to overcome the Bahrain obstacle. Despite what the locals think.