This is not about our play just against England; I would like to take this opportunity to comment on our play, the perception that others had of us and the impact the Warriors have had on our collective and individual psyche from my personal observations.
I personally could not recall once in my personal interactions in North America, where those I meet finally have come to realize that Trinidad and Tobago is a separate entity than Jamaica and yes some people are confused and think that Togo is a part of our nation. The world wide stage has helped to carve out and define who we are as a nation , a culture and footballers.
Remember the perceptions from the international press at the onset of the campaign and when we qualified?
Well the S.S.W (Super Soca Warriors), landed and availed themselves well to many disbelievers. Our team was dubbed the ;minnows'; the little band of merriment carnival soca players destined to be the doormats of all who faced us.
We proved them all wrong. Consider that had Glen's shot which hit the cross bar against Sweden made it in, ummm.....? consider if Stern's shot at the English goal had not been saved by the defence man and we had held on.....?
I am delighted that in a sport which is truly indicative of being called a world cup event ( unlike the so-called world cup of baseball or the hockey world championships), the Warriors performed and did what I would call a P.B.(personal best). TNT made it thorough the regional qualifying stages, the playoffs with Bahrain and unto the top 32 nations vying for world cup supremacy. Historical sporting event for our nation.. Thanks and praise to the creator.
