Positive review for T&T from FIFA study group.
By: Shaun Fuentes.[/size]
This country’s senior footballers can hold their heads high after hearing the reviews presented on their performances at the Germany 2006 Finals by members of the FIFA Technical Study Group.
The “Soca Warriors” continuously received rave reviews from the moment they displayed the character that led to their 0-0 draw in the opening Group B match against Sweden but moreso, the remarks coming from the Study Group was a lot to be pleased about. Hungarian Gyorgy Mezey did the first match against the Swedes while Costa Rican Rodrigo Kenton and T&T’s own Alvin Corneal did the analysis on the England and Paraguay games respectively.
The remarks also left newly appointed head coach Wim Rijsbergen taking it in good stead as he explains later on in relation to the continued development of the team and local football on a whole.
“We saw a Trinidad and Tobago side that played to their maximum, perhaps as well as they have ever played at such a high level. They showed remarkable spirit and relied on excellent organisation, even after they were reduced to ten men,” Mezey said about the opening match.
He pinpointed eventual Man of the Match Dwight Yorke as a key figure in the team’s line up, as well as commended the display of goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
“In the middle of the park, Dwight Yorke’s display was a decisive factor, as he was like a second coach on the pitch for his team. Not only was Yorke’s positioning impeccable, but he also made the right choice whenever he touched the ball. An exemplary captain, he was an inspiration to all his team-mates,” stated Mezey.
He continued: “As for Sweden, despite creating numerous chances, they just could not get the better of the opposition’s defence to apply the finishing touch they needed. Shaka Hislop in goal thwarted them repeatedly, but overall, they were rather disjointed, which helped Trinidad and Tobago obtain this historic result. “
Costa Rican Kenton felt T&T was defensive but rightly so against a well organized and powerful attacking England outfit.
“Trinidad and Tobago played very defensively and cautiously, spending almost the entire game trying to neutralise their opposition. They were very well organised and were always looking to break via Stern John and Kenwyne Jones.
“Then on the other hand, you had England, who put Trinidad and Tobago under pressure from the off and consistently kept pressing down the wings. England were obviously the stronger team. Their superiority told in the end. Trinidad and Tobago spent 80 percent of the match with five across the back. That obviously isn't very attractive, but you have to bear in mind that they were up against a very strong team with a lot of potential, and they did the best they could. There’s nothing wrong with those kind of tactics,” Kenton stated.
Homeboy Corneal was eager to heap praise on his team but was also hopeful that they could get the positive result.
“Right from the beginning, Trinidad and Tobago looked both nervous and over-ambitious. There was too much emotion and too little structure to their game. They defended too deep and couldn't put any pressure on the opposition. Paraguay took advantage of this lack of confidence and let their greater experience shine through,” Corneal began.
“Paraguay’s opener in the 25th minute was a very unlucky own goal by Brent Sancho, and this made Trinidad and Tobago even more shaky. Coach Leo Beenhakker’s team seemed to be in shock, and Paraguay totally dominated the rest of the half, keeping possession, spreading the ball wide and snuffing out any half-chances.
“The second half was the complete opposite of the first. Trinidad came back out with renewed spirit and put Paraguay under real pressure. The Caribbean team created a number of chances, looking particularly dangerous down the flanks and firing in quick crosses. Nonetheless, Paraguay still looked a threat on the break, in particular 23-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder Julio Dos Santos, who launched numerous counterattacks and proved to be very much the linchpin of Anibal Ruiz’s midfield.”
The former national team coach and player commended the “Soca Warriors” for their valiant display at the Finals.
“Trinidad showed a lot of heart and passion, but couldn’t manage to turn their possession into goals. Indeed, they spent long periods in the Paraguay half without creating any real chances. Russell Latapy’s appearance as a substitute gave the Soca Warriors more guile in attack – his distribution was very intelligent and he also had a few decent long-range efforts himself – but luck was not smiling on the Caribbean side tonight.
“Trinidad and Tobago can also be satisfied with their performance at their first ever FIFA World Cup™. They gave an excellent account of themselves, and both the players and the fans can feel justly proud of their team, which showed that they were capable of holding their own with the big guns. Indeed, with a bit more luck throughout the tournament, who knows how far they could have gone?” Corneal ended.
Risjbergen meanwhile, expected here on July 22, feels T&T must build on the current positive state of it’s football.
“There is a lot of work for us to do to maintain this positive side. I can tell you now that we have been to the World Cup, things are different. We went back to Berlin afterward the team went home and the response showed this…. the way the people spoke to us and the way the press reacted to us… it all showed that they know now that Trinidad and Tobago is a country to take serious and that’s something to make me and the rest of us want to work together for more success.. We must use this to our advantage and not let it slip by. We again will review what we did at the World Cup and put the measures in place for a proper future,” Rijsbergen told TTFF Media.
