Taken from Trinidad Guardian 11.08.05
While keeping his foot firmly planted on the ground, national team football coach Leo Beenhakker says that if T&T beats Bahrain there may be a week of carnival.
Beenhakker was expected to meet with 21 of his selected players last night at the Crowne Plaza following the arrival of the last batch of UK-based professionals earlier in the evening.
The only player scheduled in after last night was skipper Dwight Yorke, who is due from Australia early today.
Beenhakker takes his players into training at 9:30 this morning at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Bahrain, who was scheduled to arrive last night, will train at the Larry Gomes Stadium from 6:30 pm.
Arriving at the weekend were Kenwyne Jones, Brent Sancho, Cornell Glen, Scott Sealy and Stern John. Coming in last night were Russell Latapy, Shaka Hislop, Kelvin Jack, Clayton Ince, Carlos Edwards, Jason Scotland, Marvin Andrews, Chris Birchall, Dennis Lawrence, Silvio Spann and Avery John.
“I think it’s obviously exciting times for us and the sooner we can get things going on the pitch, I think the boys will all be comfortable and focused on the job ahead,” John said.
“We are confident yes, but at the same time, nothing is certain and we have two very big games ahead of us. The country needs to realise that and be patient too at the same time.”
Beenhakker is not getting carried away by the euphoria of the moment.
“I wanted to enforce three things. First of all building a team, working on the fact that the left hand has to know what the right hand is doing.
“Second, we worked one hour, each session, on ball possession because that is what football is all about.
“Finally, to get much more confidence and forget that the other guys are better than you are, “Beenhakker said in reference to the transition of the Warriors over the last few matches.
And while his confidence in the team has always been there, he said a that it has also grown.
“I was surprised that Mexico scored the first goal because we had the whole match in our hands. I was full of confidence that we could win this match and I said that at half time to the players. ‘Just go out and perform, the chances will come and you can win this match.’
“It was a match where you had the sensation within five minutes that you could win it.”
Beenhakker’s faith in his players is striking and he is confident without seeming arrogant.
Yorke and Latapy emerged from retirement for this World Cup qualifying campaign, but Beenhakker dismissed claims that the pair are difficult to work with.
“These guys are no more difficult than any other players. To manage a football team you need two things. You need your knowledge of football and you need to understand people and give your time to them.”
The relationship he shares with his players is unparalleled.
“I give all my time 24 hours a day to my players. It can be on the pitch, it can be outside the pitch, it can be in a mental way, social way, but I live with them 24hours.
“I think that is the key to building a good team and also to do your job, not only in a professional way but also in a human way.”
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