World Cup debut hangs in balance for Birchall
By Chris Harper (The Sentinel)
Port Vale winger Chris Birchall faces an anxious wait to see if he makes his World Cup debut tomorrow. Birchall has made the 21-man squad for Trinidad and Tobago's home group qualifier against Panama, but three will be axed on the eve of the game.
The Stafford youngster impressed in warm-up matches against Lima and Bermuda, playing the full 90 minutes, but faces stern competition for places in a squad which includes Crewe goalkeeper Clayton Ince and striker Kenwyne Jones, who was on loan at Stoke City from Southampton last season.
Birchall has qualified for Trinidad and Tobago through his mother Jenny, who was born in the Caribbean and recently returned for five days.
Mrs Birchall said: "I left in 1975, but was invited back to regain my citizenship and T &T passport, which makes it easier for Chris, who also now has T &T and British passports."
Birchall soon settled with the squad under Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker and made three of the goals in T &T's 4-0 win against Bermuda, playing in a central midfield role.
Birchall had been man of the match in the previous game against Lima and the T &T captain Dwight Yorke has been enthusiastic about his performances.
The squad, based in Port of Spain, has been training morning and evening and Birchall has coped well with heat.
Mrs Birchall added: "Chris has been out there for just over three weeks and feels more comfortable and more at home.
"It is a wonderful experience for him and will do his confidence the world of good."
Trinidad and Tobago have another World Cup qualifier in Mexico next Wednesday. They then fly to London to play Jamaica at West Ham's Upton Park on June 11.
