One Year Ago ... Mas In Germany
By Shaun Fuentes, media officer, 2006 Trinidad and Tobago World Cup team for Basia Magazine in earlier 2007.“We reach the stage… We warming up”
Sounds like an introduction to a piece on our Carnival doesn’t it?
Well! Not Quite! But what was exhibited by the country’s national footballers and experienced by fans alike at the Germany 2006 World Cup Finals one year ago was truly a colourful display of true T&T passion and pride .
History will forever refer back to the display of the “Soca Warriors” under the guidance of Dutch mastermind Leo Beenhakker the outstanding leadership of captain Dwight Yorke and the belief of Jack Warner …. A display that left a lasting impression on the world stage and undoubtedly those who witnessed it up close in Germany.
At what was the first appearance by the twin-island Republic at such an event and doing it as the smallest country ever to take part, the T&T team, dubbed the “Soca Warriors” went into the tournament as minnows as while many of the T&T faithful dreamed of taking on the likes of England and Sweden with some degree of respect, many others had already predicted blow outs for the tiny Caribbean nation.
Beenhakker was not getting ahead of the fact that T&T would be underdogs but he emphasized that he would not take the nation there to be looked at as one that was there simply to make up numbers.
From the moment the team embarked on its tour of Europe to begin the final leg of preparations ahead of the opening match versus Sweden on June 10, there was the feeling around that something special could be in the air.
Preparing for GermanyFollowing a week of activities during the second week of May which included roadshows in T&T and a friendly international which ended in a 1-1 draw with Peru at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, it was off to England for a one-week fitness camp.
And going to the country that was set to be our second opponents at the World Cup was thought of as a bold step but Beenhakker couldn’t be bothered and Yorke and company were on serious business.
As it would turn out to be for the remainder of the World Cup campaign, the reception the team received at De Vere Carden Park facility during its live-in camp was warm and that was well welcomed by all as the conditions had the team members in winter clothing on each day as the summertime had not yet kicked in.
The preparations for Germany were taking another gear in all areas from tactical to physical conditioning to proper dieting and media and marketing management of the team.
Beenhakker, with the experience of being with Holland at the 1990 Finals, felt it was not necessary for the team to jump at every opportunity to bolster its image through the media – commercials and video documentaries. It would all come once the football did the talking and he was right in the long run. The main focus would be to get the team as best ready for the actual game and that game was total football.
Of course, when it came to dealing with the public through the media, the charisma and experience of Beenhakker and Yorke meant there was never a dull moment and then there were other seasoned professionals like Shaka Hislop, Stern John, Russell Latapy, Carlos Edwards and others who ensured that there was always interesting material for the large contingent of international media that was following the outfit.
The majority of the training sessions were closed with only 15-minute windows at the start for video and photos and at each of the camps in England and Austria, there would be media days in which the morning training session would be left opened followed by a mix zone for player interviews and press conference with the head coach. This was the same format followed for the actual appearance of the team in Germany. At its base in Rotenburg, on the third to last day before matches, the same routine would apply and then on the eve of the match, the media would get the first 15 minutes of training and a press conference with the coach would precede training at the FIFA Match venue. All other team related news would be channeled through the team’s official website.
What took place during the qualifying campaign which begun with a 2-0 win away to Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo on June 13, 2004 and ended with a 1-0 win over Bahrain in Manama on November 16, 2005 was an experience by itself, unique too, considering that it would always be the first ever successful campaign for the nation which came close on two previous attempts in 1973 and 1989. But what was awaiting boys from T&T in Germany was unlike anything else.
Soca Warriors land in Deutschland From the moment the team touched down in Bremen, Germany on June 4, “Simply unbelievable” were the words to sum it up. It left everyone almost breathless as while the fans too had themselves a bawl throughout the stay, for those actually involved in the team, things were on a whole other level.
Despite the 2-1, 3-1 and 3-0 losses to Wales, Slovenia and Czech Republic respectively in the warm ups, the players held their heads up for the official arrival.
The first day in Deutchland, and again I stress, was undoubtedly beyond anything ever experienced by a T&T athlete or team in a foreign country as the red carpet was rolled out for the team to make its way of the Lufthansa flight which arrived in Bremen from Frankfurt. And little kids to adults welcomed the members as they made their way onto the official team bus which carried the slogan – Here come the Soca Warriors – the fighting spirit of the Caribbean
The day had started off with security officials going through every room at the Landhaus Wachtelhof Hotel in Rotenburg with dogs sniffing to ensure that all was safe for the check in of Yorke and his teammates and it ended with a rousing performance from T&T songster Chris Garcia of his football hit “Deutchland” which had just under 3,000 fans dominated by Germans waving both T&T and German flags and singing along as the members of the T&T team stood onstage at the Rotenburg City Square. That event was part sponsored by Angostura and there were also a few “Trinis” spotted in the crowd. Beenhakker also conducted a one hour training session at the training pitch, situated five minutes bike ride from the hotel.
But in the midst of all the hype, there was no time for getting carried away.
“The country obviously will benefit a lot from it and the amount of publicity that is surrounding the team and the players is amazing. Of course it’s an experience that we all have never been in before and we are here to experience something historical. Hopefully may that continue for the years ahead. This is a special moment for us and I think we all should just sit back and enjoy it but obviously don’t get caught up in it too much but try and see what we can achieve here as a team as well,” skipper Yorke noted that same night.
The city of Rotenburg ensured that every T&T citizen was most welcomed and comfortable and everyone was greeted with a loud cheer or wave of a T&T flag. Fans would line the entrance of the hotel every day before the games to catch a glimpse of the players departing for training on their bikes and whenever there was an entertainment show at the City Square, the sight was all red with the majority being Germans of course and the odd group of vibrant “Trinis” who had made the occasional visits.
A couple days after the arrival, Beenhakker very calmly took in a 2-1 victory over German Third Division side FC St Pauli but it was the 20,000 odd fans and the hundreds outside Millerntor-Stadion in Hamburg's who took their support to a next level as they sang jubilantly and waved T&T flags throughout the evening’s proceedings which was sponsored by team sponsor eBay. Apart from the pitch action, everything from the team’s arrival at the Stadium to the 12 security officers on either side to keep the bus clear of fans on exiting would have left the T&T faithful, including Jack Warner who was at the FIFA Congress in Munich on the day, immensely proud of what had transpired. And by then Beenhakker and company have also seen that the T&T fans had started arriving in Germany and the sounds of Maximus Dan’s “Fighter” was blasting at the entrance to the stadium along with several other current and retro Soca hits. And to fast track a bit, can you also imagine live Soca and Calypso performances grabbing the attention of many in the Germany cities, Marvin Andrews and Dennis Lawrence leading their teammates in dance in their hotel room to the tune of Machel, Destra and Iwer and to top it all off, all the players joining in song with Shurwayne Winchester, Iwer, Rikki Jai, Black Stalin, Skatie, Luta and Kees, knocking bottle and spoon on the flight back to Port of Spain on June 22, 2006
Sweden here we come!June 7, 2006 would be the first chance for the international media to get an up close of the team since it arrived in Germany and so too would the fans. The day of public relations activities was a fulfilling one for Beenhakker and his men as a crowd of 3,300 turned up to view it and a host of media personnel took in the action as well as the follow up press conference. For me, personally it was the first time having to host a press conference of such kind, facing up with the big guns of the international media and doing so as a representative of the team initially betted on to be the whipping boys of the tournament. But from all accounts, with Beenhakker’s counter of words, we managed it well and so would the “Soca Warriors” a couple days later on the pitch.
Apart from a knee injury to Marvin Andrews which ruled him out of the opener, everything else was set for affair with the Swedes. Most notable though, that aside from all the emotions and the anticipation of this summer’s World Cup since the team qualified on November 16, 2005 in Bahrain, the team members had by this time gone into a different mindset, unique maybe to anyone from Trinidad and Tobago because of the fact that in less than 48 hours they would take the grand stage. That was one which no other national team from T&T team has gone on before and all ex-nationals who were close to it on previous attempts would more than likely feel the emotions when the team walked onto the pitch.
For the T&T faithful, it was certain to be a first time experience as well and pores were raising at almost every thought or talk of Saturday’s match.
A bus ride was the preferred way of travel to Dortmund and on arrival there, a large contingent of T&T fans greeted the team but Beenhakker and his men knew the time for fanfare was over, at least until after the game. It was straight to rooms, which were on one separate floor under security, down for meals and off to the FIFA World Cup Stadium for the final session later that day.
Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack reminded us: “On paper, Sweden, England and Paraguay are supposed to beat us. That’s the reality. The magical thing about World Cup and football, it’s not all the time that the team that is supposed to win actually wins. We are hoping to play well and if you do that most of the time you can get a positive result.” And how accurate he would turn out to be. Ironically it would be his teammate Shaka Hislop who held things together in goal as Jack pulled up with a reoccurring calf injury during the warm up before kick off.
The rest is history as bunch of unbelievably happy Soca Warriors were the toast of Dortmund on the evening of Saturday June 10, 2006. I could only imagine the scenes back in T&T at the time but I can tell you what was happening in Dortmund and Rotenburg was everything close to a Carnival like celebration.
It was a display of incredible spirit, energy and defensive resolution, Trinidad and Tobago brought Caribbean joy and colour to the heart of Europe. Moments before the game, Hislop relayed his boyhood dreams during an interview saying how “he and two other kids playing in a Trinidadian park 25 years ago and giving themselves the names of Zico, Socrates and Maradona, had dreamed of just this moment. His boyhood pals, T&T captain Yorke and Russell Latapy, were also present on this defining day in the tiny Republic’s footballing history”.
As I remembered our arrival at the Stadium, I could recall this feeling as if suddenly I was pulled out of envisioning myself in the screen during an action packed international encounter, wondering what it would be like and then being thrown into the actual situation, similar to the recently launched TSTT television ad in which “Fatboy” goes from watching a game to entering the screen and scoring the winning goal. Only this time, I had to kick myself twice to realize we had arrived or for want of better words “We Reach!”
The singing of the country’s national anthem would go down as maybe the fondest memory for all of us and the players later admitted that it brought them close to tears. Then to see how after initially more than 75 percent of the stadium had been in support of the opposition to then hearing the majority cheer for T&T as the match neared end was simply amazing.
The end of a match was never so enjoyable as it compared only to the 1-0 win over Bahrain. This time though we were allowed to celebrate on the pitch to thousands of newly won fans. It took us another couple hours before we actually left the venue. As expected, our players were mobbed by the media on their way through the mix zone and the likes of Hislop, Yorke. Chris Birchall and Beenhakker were snapped up by the studios for live TV interviews. Yorke was smiling even more as he left with the Man of the Match Cup.
That opening game was undoubtedly the highlight of Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup experience. Up to that time though, there was still the highly anticipated clash with England and the closing fixture against the Paraguayans.
Now we’re heroes everywhere we goOn its arrival back at the base hotel in Rotenburg close to midnight, the team was welcomed by the mostly German fans who were waving T&T flags and cheering on the players as they came off the bus . Also on the journey back Yorke also received a phone call from Prime Minister Patrick Manning who congratulated him and the team for their efforts, expressing how proud he was of the team’s showing on foreign soil. Sports Minister Roger Boynes was also ecstatic, relaying his feelings to Yorke while in the company of FIFA Vice President Jack Warner and other dignitaries in Dortmund.
The next day, it was non stop partying in Rotenburg as Beenhakker, following an early morning recovery session, gave the players the next 24 hours off and they spent the time relaxing with family and friends and of course the Germans grabbed every opportunity to fete their visiting heroes.
And the Rest remains HistoryThe big England game again saw Yorke and his men show the kind of grit and determination that made them a force in Group B but it was not enough and much was reported about the “Hand of Couch” Peter Crouch opener in which the lanky forward clearly pulled the hair of defender Brent Sancho. Steven Gerrard finished it off with a late stunner but two close attempts by Stern John, one superbly cleared off the line by John Terry and brave displays from the entire team again left T&T with a lot to be proud of. And would you believe it, we were now a favourite going into the final game versus Paraguay in which a convincing win would push them through to the second round of course if Sweden faltered against the English.
But that too is history, as despite playing before some 46,000 fans, almost all in favour of T&T, they faltered 2-0. The world got to see a bit of magic from outgoing midfielder Russell Latapy and Benhakker and a modest group of players, the self-styled Soca Warriors, can hold their heads up high. As expected, in defeat the mood was somewhat somber in the dressing room because naturally the players had high hopes of going home with something more to show. But by the time, they all came off the closing prayer led by Marvin Andrews and made their way through the mix zone, the Soca Warriors spirit - the fighting spirit of the Caribbean was once again in the air.
The country’s World Cup footballers are today experiencing life in a different light as they come to terms with the fact that their lives are still finding its way back on normal track following what has been a remarkable debut on the World Cup stage and in fact a perfect warm up for future appearances.
Shaun Fuentes also give us his feelings as press officer of our team at its first ever World Cup.
“A truly amazing and unforgettable experience. I felt it would have been something exciting but what happened there with T&T and the reception we received throughout our stay there was beyond my wildest imagination and I stand by that especially after the likes of Dwight and other senior members felt similarly.
“There will never be an experience like this for Trinidad and Tobago again, even if we qualify and go further at another one, moreso because of the fact that 2006 was our first appearance and we did it so as the smallest nation ever and with a performance that left a lasting impression. I got to experience it from a different perspective, being there in capacity of the team’s media officer and that was second to none but I surely would love to experience it as a fan one day as well. But who could ask for more than being part of the Soca Warriors, eating, sleeping and riding bikes with the boys, qualifying and getting to a World Cup was fantastic. The standards set by this team cannot go unnoticed and the manner in which everyone carried themselves and performed their roles is something that will forever remain with me. Hopefully I can use this to further my skill and support to other causes.
12 months after Germany...
By: Kern De Freitas (Express).[/size]
In just a few days, Trinidad and Tobago will be observing the one-year anniversary of a huge milestone in local history. It may not be a national holiday and many people, without being prompted, may have gone about their business without a thought for the day the "Soca Warriors" took Germany by storm in their first senior football World Cup, Germany 2006.
But there are those who would recall the greatest moments of an event that has changed the lives of some Trinbagonians forever... and not just the footballers, but the avid fans as well.
For two weeks, Germany was filled with red, black and white, and the sound of T&T culture seeping out of every nook and cranny of Dortmund, Nuremberg and Kaiserslautern, the three venues where T&T faced the might of Europe - Sweden and England - and then the testy Paraguayans, respectively.
It was also a national festival in T&T, where people were abandoning their day-to-day responsibilities to find a television set so they could witness it all, to hear our national anthem being played on the international stage, to see our Soca Warriors take the field and bravely hold their own against some of the world's best.
Sport Express caught up with some popular faces in local football and other celebrities who recalled their most memorable moments of T&T's maiden World Cup campaign, and looked back at its impact on national football to date. Would you say the state of T&T football is better, or worse, one year after Germany 2006?
Clayton Morris (Former national captain of the 1989 Strike Squad)I think it's worse. When you have your country going to participate in a Gold Cup and you don't have the players who just represented us in the World Cup, I think the football is in a crisis...
Yes, we qualified for a World Cup, but I don't think our football has improved. That alone shows that we have a gap to close up with the rest of the world. If we're qualifying for a World Cup and we place fourth, them (the T&T Under-17 team) come third to qualify, then we haven't really improved.
In the (Under-17) World Cup it will show how much we have improved, or how much we have gone back. Then you will know how close we are (with the world). So I would say the football hasn't improved from last year. CONCACAF is our region and I think we need to show we are more competitive to see if our football has improved.
Brian Williams (Former Strike Squad defender, coach of United Petrotrin)From a national point of view of our football, I think it could have been much better than we are with our national team. We are in some problems with having our full-strength national team to perform in the Gold Cup. That problem that we are incurring now is not in a good light with regards to our football. That is one of the reasons that we have not achieved what we wanted to achieve from the World Cup. There's been a keener interest with the football fraternity with qualifying for the World Cup last year. (But) presently there's a lot to be done administratively in looking forward to (World Cup) 2010. They have a little problem from where we moved administratively in the sense of having our national team in a better position... In the future I hope it is resolved in some meaningful way.
Alvin Corneal (Former national footballer and coach, FIFA technical official)Well, in the first place it's very difficult one year after a World Cup to see any significant difference. What you can see is that players are taking the game more serionsly, I think at a Pro League level they are taking it more seriously. We did not qualify for the World Cup because of any great development programme. We qualified for the World Cup because at that particular time we had foreign players coming in, and we came together and qualified for the World Cup.
However, over the past three years, I think the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) have been trying to develop youth football. And I think they are succeeding because a lot of youngsters coming into the game are products of the Under-15 team...what I think we need to do better is the administrative approach.
...I don't think we've regressed at all, I think we've gone forward. But not just because of the 2006 World Cup.
Everard "Gally" Cummings (Former national player, Strike Squad coach)I could honestly tell you that I'm really looking from the outside. But the most I could say is that I don't think so (that local football has improved). Since Germany, nothing constructive with respect to development has taken place, and I'm not trying to knock (T&TFF technical director) Lincoln Phillips or anybody. I think that (the Soca Warriors' achievement) has been undermined somewhat because of the fact that since the World Cup, nothing has happened. I'm not satisfied with the development since. The only thing I've seen that happened was the Under-17s qualifying for a youth World Cup, but I don't think I've seen anything at the senior Level.
Stuart Charles Fevrier (Former national coach, W Connection coach)In terms of the football itself, I think the Pro League is definitely growing and I think definitely the qualification for the last World Cup would have encouraged everyone involved in football to try and get things to a better standard...but as far as the national teams are concerned, I still feel the preparation of national teams could be improved and one way I would suggest is that we try to build a national training centre for national football teams, so the preparation could be at a higher level for national teams than at the moment. Players can't get a proper meal, or they have to sleep on the bench in the dressing rooms to return (to practice) in the afternoon. So I would say that I would have liked to see the quality improved in terms of national teams.
Anthony Harford (Broadcaster, sports promoter)My own assessment is that it was a completely positive experience and there has been evidence of this already. There was evidence in the fact than an Under-17 team has qualified for the Under-17 World Cup. You have a team that is made up of a young national senior team that did, in my estimation, very well in the recent Digicel Shield, and I think that when you consider all the unsavoury things that are happening with our Soca Warriors, which is unfortunate, the fact that our technical staff has been able to take a team of home-grown players, largely college boys, and did as well as they-ve done, I think there is tremendous hope for the future...
Lincoln Phillips (Former national goalkeeper, T&TFF technical director)I think that we have benefitted from it, because there is more emphasis placed on the youth teams. As you can see, the Under-17 team, the focus was on them, more so than it would have been in the past. So in that sense the Under-17s were the beneficiaries of the success that we had at the World Cup. I think Anton Corneal, who was the assistant coach...Anton Corneal had a chance to work with (Leo) Beenhakker, to see how a world-class coach prepares a team for international competition. Our team had a lot of deficiencies, but we must credit the technical staff for selecting a system and playing a style of football that would get us to be competitive. Question: What are your fondest memories of Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors at the 2006 World Cup in Germany?
Colin Murray (Broadcaster)Fondest memories? It would have to be the game against Sweden, when they lined off and started to play and the thousands of people supporting us in the stadium, it was really pore-raising. That was just one of many fond memories. All the Trini supporters in Germany, it was really excellent.
Maximus Dan (Entertainer)Well, I have several. I will tell you a couple. It would have to be the day of the first game (vs Sweden). Myself and Destra and Atlantik were performing in a place called Limericks. We more or less had a session before the game and after the game. I sang before the game, and after the game. As a performer, that was one of the most blessed times for me, having a song that is considered one of the better songs in my career, and a song that championed the cause of the Soca Warriors.
On the day of the match there was a red carpet running straight down, and everyone would see the red, white and black, and know that we were from Trinidad and Tobago.
The other one was the day before we played the second game in Nuremburg. We went to this massive Fan Zone and there were about 30,000 Germans in the Fan Zone...We did all our songs together, backing each other up, with the T&T fans and Germans alike supporting Trinidad and Tobago. There's so much, that you would have to wait ten years for me to finish.
Terry Joseph (Journalist, TTGermany LOC member)I think that the moment the team ran out onto the pitch at Dortmund, our game against Sweden...I think I probably stopped breathing for a while, and a number of really hardy men, all part of the T&TFF (T&T Football Federation) posse, some of them actually went into gushing tears, and it was difficult for me to not be amongst them in terms of crying. We always talked about Germany all the time, going there, and people dancing in the streets and putting up flags. I've been to Germany three times before, and I was proud, but when the team actually ran out on the pitch and they (announcers) said "Trinidad and Tobago", that was the moment everyone froze.
Destra Garcia (Entertainer)Well, just being there was something that I keep remembering, not like a memory, but something completely vivid. I remember the first game (against Sweden) when we drew, when everybody was on their feet, and a lot of the Germans were supporting us, and there was red all over. I think when we got there, I thought we'd have this small group of people supporting us, and the rest would be supporting the other team. The other memory was the last game when they brought on 'Latas'. I remember grabbing a flag and just jumping up and down, and that was really great for me.
Dr Nigel Camacho (Trini Posse member)June 10 in Germany is one of the greatest days of my life. I dreamed of Trinidad and Tobago participating in a World Cup one day. We went to the pre-game festivities in Angostura in Dortmund, listened to Maximus and Destra and then we went to the game. I was completely awed at the atmosphere in the stadium, and we actually drew that game. Coming back into the stadium, and after the game, everybody celebrated. It was a fantastic day, and one that set the tone for the whole tournament. June 10 is one of the greatest days of my life...we're actually planning to have a function to commemorate that day. Every June 10 we're going to try to remember the time we had. For me, June 10 will be a special day in my life. That's the day we drew with the great Sweden in the World Cup...One of the proudest days of sporting history in Trinidad and Tobago.
Keith Smith (Editor-at-Large, Trinidad Express)I went with the Laventille Rhythm Section, which was part of the cultural contingent in Germany, and from day one, I was moved to tears by the impact that everything cultural had on the Germans and the Europeans who had come to the World Cup. The Laventille Rhythm Section was a major senation and people didn't want them to stop playing at no time, to the point where we played for an entire day in Nuremberg (the day of the Paraguay encounter), the whole day we played. It was like playing for Carnival Tuesday. And then you had the impact made by Boogsie Sharpe and the steelband, and all the various soca artists. Everywhere the contingent were treated like royalty. I spent a lot of time writing autographs and being interviewed by the BBC and other tv stations about this phenomenon that was Trinidad and Tobago culture...The impact was quite overwhelming.
Dave Lamy (Broadcaster)The draw against Sweden, of course. That was something that really lifted us all. We thought we were in with a chance. Our football was looked at in a different light. Even the Sweden supporters, the English supporters, were congratulating us, and that really lifted us. That gave us the belief that we were really up to it.
Allyson Hennessy (Television presenter)I think it was seeing our red, white and black at an international event like the World Cup, which is being viewed by millions around the world. Just being here in Trinidad and almost feeling like I was part of that crowd. And I think my favourite moment was watching Russell Latapy going on the field in his last game. That was my most touching moment.
One year later... Shaka says flag still flying!
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF). Trinidad and Tobago World Cup goalkeeper Shaka Hislop this week reflected on the past year as the country marked it’s one year anniversary since making it’s debut at the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.
Hislop, currently in Dallas playing his trade in the MLS, was in touch with Trinidad and Tobago National Team taking part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. And the former West Ham and Newcastle United goalkeeper mentioned that in spite of the situation which caused several of his World Cup teammates to look on at the Gold Cup, he saw the benefits of the home-based players being able to gain the exposure at the international level.
“The impasse, though, has given the opportunity for a lot of our locally based players to gain valuable experience at the international level, which is always a very big step for anyone to make regardless of where they ply their trade,” Hislop told TTFF Media.
“Silvio Spann has bounced back from his disappointment of missing out on the World Cup to shine in the current Gold Cup. And Densill Theobald is carrying the armband with the dignity that Dwight did last summer.”
Theobald did consult Hislop for advice on the impasse and was guided accordingly.
“Densill asked for my advice on his selection for national duty in light of the impasse, I said to him that he had been put in a difficult situation, but he could only do what he felt was best for the long term good of T&T football. He felt it was to make himself available and lead the team from the front,” explained Hislop who was on the phone with Jan Michael Williams after his brave display in Saturday’s 2-0 loss to USA in Los Angeles.
“I'm delighted with the decision he (Theobald) made, and proud of the job he is doing. And of course Jan-Michael has made a big fan out of me. If he keeps his feet on the ground (figuratively speaking of course!) we'll be well represented between the sticks for some time to come. I'd love to witness the battle between him and Kelvin Jack for the number one shirt!
“So for me, everything taken into consideration, the flag continues to fly high and proud,” Hislop added.
Looking back at Germany 2006, the last minute change with him replacing Jack in goal against the Swedes and the final outcome, Hislop was still in awe to an extent.
“My fondest memory of the World Cup will always be hearing the National Anthem before the Sweden game. I maintain I was a T&T fan long before I was a player. I cried in '89. And to finally hear our anthem playing for the whole world to hear made up for all those years of hurt. As for the game itself, after about 75 minutes, I realized that despite 85% of the crowd wearing the yellow of Sweden 90% of the crowd were singing for Trinidad and Tobago. It took my breath away. As a player I'd never experienced anything like it. And then came the final whistle...I still can't describe the feelings.
“I was home for carnival this year, and my father put on a DVD of the game, and he, my two brothers (Kona and Kali) and I sat down to watch it. I think I lasted about 2 minutes before I had to walk away. As I said to someone recently, that Sweden game is my fairytale, and I'm not quite ready to give it up just yet! Maybe I'll try to watch it again next carnival,” Hislop continued. And despite the ongoing impasse, Hislop still managed to mention the positives in T&T football.
“I think the still ongoing impasse has left a slightly bitter taste after what was without doubt our most successful 12 months in international football. Our debut appearance at the World Cup will remain in the memories of millions, and not only T&T fans, for a very long time to come.
“The Under 17s have qualified for the Junior World Cup, showing that we continue to produce a lot of exciting and promising talent. More and more players are making the step up from what has become a truly exciting Pro League to the leagues of Europe. And those that were already there continue to shine.
With Carlos Edwards, Stern John and Dwight back in the Premier League, where they belong, with Sunderland next season. With Carlos in particular getting the recognition his play deserves.”
“So again for me everything taken into consideration, the flag continues to fly high and proud,” the big man concluded.
He added that he would be following T&T’s final Group B game against Guatemala on Tuesday night with interest even if his country had little chance of advancing to the second round.
