dortmund; germany
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO immediately cut themselves free from the tag of World Cup underdogs to make - and secure - a vital point against Sweden in their opening match here on Saturday, sending thousands Soca Warriors fans dancing with delight in the streets.
Inspired by a dogged all-round defensive effort, unruffled inspiration from man-of-the-match Dwight Yorke, plus a display of toughness hardly seen as a T&T trademark before, they avoided the losing start typical of so many first-time World Cup entrants, including Jamaica in 1998. And they did it despite playing nearly all the second half with just 10 men.
HUGE SLICE OF FORTUNE
The 0-0 draw was also due to a huge slice of fortune linked to wayward finishing by the Swedes and brilliant goalkeeping by T&T veteran Shaka Hislop, a last minute replacement for Kelvin Jack who was declared unfit just hours before kick-off.
The elements smiled on the twin-island republic of 1.3 million too, as the match began in scorching sunshine typical of Caribbean days, but testing to their European opponents. However, it was mostly a triumph for T&T's coach Leo Beenhakker, who months ago rescued the Soca Warriors' stuttering qualifying campaign, and put together a shrewd game plan for Sweden, matched by clever tactics throughout the 90 minutes.
FAR REACHING EFFECTS
The effects should be far reaching. "(Trinidadians) are not very well known to be courageous fighters in any sport. This demonstrates to me that we have got a new quality in our repertoire," said former T&T coach Alvin Corneal. ".....I think that is what Leo Beenhakker brings to the game. He brought that sort of level of composure, that experience, that type of personality that makes a player a world-class player.....I think now we are going to believe that we can beat a few teams in the top level."
FOOTBALL, NOT MATHEMATICS
Beenhakker, a former World Cup coach of his native Holland, capitalised on his knowledge of Sweden's predictable style, countering it with players whose passion defied popular odds here that tipped the European powerhouse, laden with high-priced talent, to stroll past a T&T squad featuring only two starters who can claim any prominence at the world-class club level. "We're not talking about mathematics," the crafty Dutchman said, explaining the unpredictability of the game.
"We're talking about football......In football, two and two is almost never four; it's sometimes five."
That means anything can happen, and it turned out Beenhakker was spot on with his calculations. He bottled up Sweden with an opening formation that featured four defenders, five midfielders and a lone striker in Stern John.
While Collin Samuel spread wide to thwart the overlapping runs of Sweden's rightback Niclas Alexandersson, Yorke's calm, roving presence in the centre of the park made sure the Warriors were not derailed early by the hyped World Cup atmosphere and 62,959 screaming fans, the overwhelming majority decked in the yellow and blue of Sweden. But the T&T captain was not alone. Christopher Birchall was exceptional all day, hounding in midfield, especially when matched against Barcelona's Henrik Larsson or Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg.
T&T mostly sat back on defence, content to weather Sweden's swarming attacks. And while Hislop started shaky by fumbling away an early cross, he rebounded magnificently to keep his team in the game with some brilliant saves.
PIVOTAL ADJUSTMENT
Yet, when T&T lost leftback Avery John, ejected a minute after half-time by a questionable second yellow card issued by Singapore referee Shamsul Maidin, Beenhakker made his first pivotal adjustment. Rightback Cyd Gray replaced John on the left and midfielder Carlos Edwards was slotted into Gray's spot.
For Edwards, it was his first time playing the position at the international level.
"It was a shock to be actually thrown, how to say, into the pot that early in that rightback position," he said. "......The manager had faith in me and he is considering I can go out there and do a good job."
Then Beenhakker pulled another master stroke. With T&T desperately looking to hold on playing a man short, he replaced midfielder Densill Theobald with striker Cornell Glen, a move which drew whistles from parts of the crowd demanding a safety-first approach.
"I thought he might have gone and put on a defender and look to defend all the way," admitted Glen.
Yet for Beenhakker, the strategy was especially designed to surprise Sweden.
"It's so amazing to do that," he said. "Everybody expects you to take off an attacker and bring on a defender." Sweden appeared apprehensive, unsure whether to send more players forward.
They settled for caution, especially after Glen banged a powerful shot against the crossbar.
"They had to defend two forwards with five defenders," Beenhakker explained.
"That's exactly what I was looking for....I was amazed it worked."
What also clicked was his decision to slow the game to a crawl, patience which frustrated the Swedes while knocking precious time off the game clock.
"We recognised the opponent has more talent," said Beenhakker. "We are never in a hurry."
None of it would have mattered had Sweden converted their ample scoring chances, despite showing overall dominance.
"I think we controlled the game," said coach Lars Lagerback, who claimed not to be surprised by T&T's composure on their World Cup debut. ".....It was one of those days we couldn't score."
CREDIT TO PLAYERS
Beenhakker agreed, but added: "Don't blame us they didn't score a goal." Instead he credited his players, not only Yorke, formerly of Aston Villa and Manchester United, and Hislop of West Ham, but those from lower European and T&T clubs. "I bet you hadn't heard of (Trinidadian club San Juan) Jabloteh (where substitute Aurtis Whitley plays), Wrexham (defender Dennis Lawrence's club in Wales) and Gillingham (Brent Sancho's English team) before?" he asked after the game. "They weren't supposed to compete against players from Juventus, Barcelona and Arsenal." Yet, with Beenhakker's plan, somehow they did.
Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.
