TnT: Dynamite or Damp Squib?

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Source: Who Ate All The Bratwurst


World Ranking 47

How they qualified

Dramatically.  The CONCACAF three-round qualifying system is fairly complicated so to cut a long story short, they needed to beat Mexico in their last match to finish fourth in the table and managed to pull off a shock 2-1 win.  That set up a play-off with Bahrain.  Port Vale's English-born Chris Birchall scored a spectacular equaliser in the home leg, while Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence scored the only goal in the away leg to book the Soca Warriors' place at the finals.

World Cup history

They have none.  First-time qualifiers.

Star man

Coventry City's Stern John scores all the goals, but its a rejuvenated Dwight Yorke who pulls all the strings and provides the inspiration.  Yorke is a national legend.  His impact on the players around him is akin to the extra incentive the current England squad would have if Bobby Moore was playing alongside them.  Yorke returned from international retirement to captain the side during the qualifying campaign.  He has recently been playing in midfield for Sydney FC giving manager Leo Beenhakker an extra option.  The 34-year-old has been training with Manchester United to improve hit fitness for the World Cup since the Australian A-League season ended and has been linked with a move to Luton Town.

Strengths

Probably lots of underdog support from the Germans, especially against England.

The inspirational Dwight Yorke.

Weaknesses

A squad that would basically be a decent League One team in England.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation won't let a World Cup get in the chance of a good feud if the opportunity arises. 

Did you know?

Chris Birchall is the first white player to represent Trinidad and Tobago for 60 years.

Odds 1500-1 (www.bluesq.com)

Verdict

Rank outsiders as those odds suggest.  Group whipping boys you would think, but the Trinidad & Tobago spirit could carry them through.  Team unity is often as important as any amount of skill in these major tournaments.  Remember Jamaica's win against Japan in 1998?  Trinidad and Tobago will be out to emulate their Caribbean neighbours and at least record a win.  With so many English-based and born players the Soca Warriors will have even more to play for against England.