Ian Prescott
Trinidad Express
NATIONAL coach Leo Beenhakker has arranged for a coach attached to the Dutch Football Federation to have a look at the match between Uzbekestan and Bahrain, one of the teams Trinidad and Tobago could face in a playoff for a place in the 2006 World Cup if they secure fourth-place in the CONCACAF zone.
Dutchman Beenhakker has also made an arrangement with Dutch television to tape the Asian qualifier.
But at the same time, the T&T coach said at the moment the most important game of his whole career is Trinidad and Tobago's next World Cup encounter against Panama, scheduled for October 8.
Beenhakker said that while the CONCACAF versus Asian Zone playoff is in the back of his head, the immediate task is to beat Panama next Saturday and then play well at home against Mexico on October 12 and so capture CONCACAF's fourth qualifying spot.
The fourth qualifier from CONCACAF and the fourth from Asia will meet in November for a place in the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Against Panama, Beenhakker said he expects both a tough and very open game, but is confident of getting the positive result that Trinidad and Tobago need.
"We are both more on the same level. We are, of course, playing on the same way and, of course, my friend and colleague from Panama may use some other players now because they are out of qualification...perhaps some young players."
But even if Panama use an inexperienced squad, Beenhakker said that young players on national service for the first time will give their all, and so he is expecting a test in Panama.
He, however, has said they are prepared for Panama.
"We did our homework. We know exactly what we want to do and how we want to play against Panama. Last time, I also had plans and then there was the injury to Kenwyne Jones and Brent Rahim."
Beenhakker said he will be looking to this weekend's matches in the United States, England and Scotland, hoping that his players avoid injury, before finalising his plans.
He reported that he is happy with his team since the return of Russell Latapy, but hinted that the comeback of the "Little Magician" presents its own problems defensively.
Beenhakker said he has asked some of the other players such as Aurtis Whittley and Chris Birchall to make the adjustment by trying much harder to win back the ball.
"I am happy with the return of Russell Latapy, but at the same time, it's difficult to get a balanced team with Russell and Dwight in the midfield.
"The good thing is that Dwight understands that with Russell in the midfield, he has to do a lot more of the bad stuff, getting the ball back and so on."
Overall, Beenhakker said he has enjoyed his stint with the Trinidad and Tobago team. He is pleased with the attitude of the players in training, and within the training camp.
He said that had they had three months together to train, they would be a better team. But given just the three days they usually have together, the players were doing as best as they can.
