We will go for it – Beenhakker.
By: Shaun Fuentes.[/size]
National team coach Leo Beenhakker has made it clear that worrying about the possibilities over this country’s chances of advancing to the second round based on what happens to the Sweden versus England match is far from his mind as he prepares to the take the “Soca Warriors” into Tuesday’s clash with Paraguay.
Beenhakker was speaking at the team’s press conference in Rotenburg on Monday when he also hinted that he may just find the space to let Russell Latapy play some part in the closing Group B encounter at Kaiserslautern which kicks off at 9pm (3pm T&T time).
Skipper Dwight Yorke and his men will run out in an all white strip, which by the way is Beenhakker’s preferred colour for the team and they will be going all out to take something away. A 1-0 win over Paraguay and a 2-0 win for England will see both the Swedes and T&T ending up on identical goal difference which could result in a coin toss to determine which team advances to the second round. The fitting occurrence would be for the “Soca Warriors” to at least win by two goals without conceding and hope that England put the hurt on the Swedes.
“We know our actual situation. I think the team is ready again and has gained a lot of confidence and courage. We know what we have to do and it makes no sense to lose any time of energy on the England/Sweden match. We don’t have it in our hands so in he beginning after the England match the message to the guys was to focus on the Paraguay match and try to win it and then later on wait for the result over there. We will try to play our own match. In that way we will go for it and try to have a good result,” Beenhakker stated.
“It’s not a question of defensive options or attacking options. I have already explained several times that if you want to play offensive, you need the ball. So our intention is always the same and it’s to try and get in front and in the most perfect conditions. If we don’t have the ball then we have to work to get it back,” he explained.
“The intention is exactly the same as it has always been but the opponent is sometimes different as you may have seen.”
“I don’t know how they will manage this game but for us the next game is the important one and the motivation is a hundred percent with the guys. At least on paper we are still in and that gives us the courage to go for it. I know this group and in that way I think they did everything they could do in both matches within their possibilities and talent they will do some extra in this game,” he assured.
Beenhakker did say that while he will even think about calling Sven Erikkson ahead of England’s match, he will in fact keep updated on that match while T&T’s is also on the pitch at both games will be played simultaneously.
“Of course. At least will try that and it’s good to know what is happening there. I could imagine based on the actual result and what is happening there, you probably bring in an extra player in the front or back.”
He also dismissed further talk of the Peter Crouch’s climb on Brent Sancho for England’s first goal.
“That’s after the game. It’s the first thing Brent Sancho said - I couldn’t get him and he blocked me. But these things happen in football and you have to accept it. It makes no sense. It was a goal and you lost it. More than ever the way we lost it and the moment we gave it out of our hands was the tough part for these guys. You have to be able to handle possible errors of the referees.”
We will gamble of course but not from the beginning We have our philosophy and our way of playing, during a match you always can change during a match with an extra guy up front or with extra pressure in the midfield. You need 90 minutes to win a match and you can lose it in one second.
When asked about maybe a role for Latapy in this encounter, Beenhakker replied: “That’s possible. The problem with Russell is not that he doesn’t have the talent and that he can’t play football. The problem to bring several players with this skills together in the team once again is who is playing versus who. Before the game you realize the big part os getting the ball back and that’s not the strongest part of Russell. (But) hopefully I can use him in the Paraguay game yes.”
The Dutchman was also asked to comment on talks with Jack Warner about a possible future with T&T, he explained that afterwards “First of all I will be on my party. Afterwards I have time enough to make decisions and see what I want. He explained to me what his idea was about the coming future of T&T and the Caribbean and CONCACAF. I said it’s nice to know but when the tournament is over for us I will start possibly planning my next future and that can be between playing golf for the next three months or starting next weekend with another job.”
He did say that there will be options available from other clubs and Federations. Warner had indicated that he remained hopeful that T&T can continue to have the services of Beenhakker and that the Government and corporate T&T will feel the same way.
John’s Birthday in Germany.
Meantime, as the players engaged in double sessions in Rotenburg, defender Avery John was celebrating his 31st birthday and was more than pleased to be back in the squad and eligible for the Paraguay game following his red card suspension. Goalie Kelvin Jack and Marvin Andrews will be available for selection.
Skipper Yorke remained upbeat about T&T’s chances on Tuesday.
“I think we will definitely go all out to bring a result home and at least end on a high. There’s not much we can do about the other result but I’ll be texting or will call the boys, like (Wayne) Rooney, Becks (David Beckham), Rio (Ferdinand), Gary (Neville) and whoever else. We know what is ahead of us and I think the guys have all done us proud but there will be nothing better than finishing the group phase with a win and then of course getting into the second round will be absolutely fantastic,” added Yorke who was the centre of laughter among his teammates on Monday as he has to resort to taking his bicycle into his hotel room to avoid the chance of it being hidden away as has occurred on more than one occasion this past week.
“If it’s one thing, the camaraderie in this team is fantastic and we will work for each other on and off the field,” he said. The team will travel by charter plane to Mannheim on Monday morning and will stay at the Dorint Sofitel hotel and will train once at the match stadium in the evening period.
