Folks,
This evening history was created...as a TT team won its first ever match at a FIFA Finals.
I am still enjoying the moment and it's been a long time since I have felt good watching a TT team.
This bunch of young ladies showed that with determination, training, fitness, sticking to a plan and playing as a team, you can succeed and Even Pellerud has done a wonderful job with this group of girls.
The preparation for this tournament was good and from the warm up victories before, the team was on the right track, all that was needed was to get it right on game day....and they did. Now there are areas to improve upon, but this team has character and they put the senior mens team to shame.
Imagine if the senior men could put even half the effort, determination and fight that these girls have we would be in a better place. Also I was amazed at some of the skills and technical ability on display that were shown by the ladies that their male counterparts cannot do properly...e.g. trap, head, tackle, read the game, take a good corner kick, make a driven pass more than 20m on the ground, make off the ball runs and keep the shape of a team defensively.
Anyway, the afternoon started around 2pm...there was a good sized crowd and after getting stopped by security for trying to bring in some grog in a plastic bottle, with the help of a fellow forumite, we worked a scene and entered the stadium with drinks in tow.
These games are dry zones...and it was explained to me that vendors did not get a bar licence in time, fifa rules were in place and also as coke was the main sponsor, no competing drinks or bottles were allowed in the stadium...only coke products, eg sprite, powerade, dasani etc. Further, there were very few food and drink vendors in attendance. The regular pie and nuts men couldnt see their way due to accreditation issues and so the thousands in the stadium had to fight up with the three or four concessions, selling hot dogs, fried chicken, warm soft drinks and water at exorbitant prices.
The carpark area of the stadium was transformed into an activity village and Sony had a booth where their new 3d technology, tv screens as well as a ps3 allowing fans to play Fifa, were on display. Bmobile had a spin the wheel, prize give away and hyundai had a small goal shoot to win booth.
All the gates and turnstiles were open, no long lines and the volunteers, police and firemen were wukkin.
The sound system was loud and clear, the scoreboard wukking and showing replays, the flags were the correct size.In fact everything was going smooth and it seemed TT were doing a great job as hosts....they NEARLY got it right.
The first game started between Nigeria and Korea DPR with me hunting for chaser and ice and I missed the opening goal. A roar from the crowd which swelled to 16,000 by the TT game, indicated that someone scored.
Both teams were technically good, with Nigeria being the more entertaining of the 2 teams. Nigeria were taller, fitter, faster and dribbled a bit more...but their goalie and defence were suspect. After going 1 up...Korea DPR equalized and then went ahead. Only for Nigeria to storm back in the closing stages to take the game 3-2.
Both teams played well for the opening 20 minutes of each half...then fitness took its toll, no more nice passing, no more flick, just hit and hope and scruffled attempted plays.
Nigeria and Korea had dangerous number 10 players up top and we need to stifle these players when we face them.
By now Nigeria had captivated the crowd and most patrons were Pro Nigeria, cheering them on and applauding each play. Nigeria had the largest visible support, with a strong section in both covered and uncovered stands, chanting, waving thundersticks and clapping.
I could not understand why the crowd wanted Nigeria to finish them...when a draw would have been the best result for TT.
Maybe people know more than me, but some claimed we winning this cup and we beating them 2 side easy...I could only smile and listen to the ole talk all around.
Then TT and Chile came out on the pitch to warm up and it was level vibes in the stadium. The place was full, everybody blowing a vuvuzela or horn from bmobile, a riddim section started up in covered stands and d vibes was nice, The Warrior Nation Flag made an appearance and it was action like WC 2006...the TT girls warmed up in sync, totally in time to the music, with intensity, and precision. Everybody knew the drill, what to do and how to do it.
Chile a little bigger and thicker, but we showing zess and vibes.
The teams went back in to a loud cheer and the cultural opening went ahead.
It was short and sweet but I enjoyed it and we showcased our mokojumbies, pan, dancers, costumes and some fireworks and smoke. Maximus Dan hyped up the crowd and we were set.
The PM came and said some stuff, applause all around...she gave a big up to Jack Warner, they greeted the teams and then came the anthems.
Chile own...nice and loud.
Then "PLEASE STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO".......
with the world watching and listening...the dj start the damn anthem half way...from "we solemnly declare"
...it was like the Sweden Game all over again a real What the F^@K moment.
Anyway the girls compose theyself and sang the rest of the anthem...all now stadium quiet as people ent know whether to laugh or cuss or still fumbling the words and eventually...most people join in at..."where every creed and race find an equal place and may God Bless our nation"
Tweet....game on and TT lined up in a 4-4-2 morphing into a 4-5-1 on occassion.
Chile playing a 4-3-3.
I really cant give names or numbers of players accurately....but our Captain Schmidt is a Boss, winning everything in the air, marshaling the back, reading the game and clearing when necessary. A woodcutter at times, a florist the next. Good shift by her.
In fact I was impressed by the entire back 4. The lil white number 2 wingback on the right, a short strong girl...had good kicking technique and was strong in the tackle. Good footskills and coulda play a tru ball. The other 2 girls were not as technical but made up in speed and aggression.
Also it was great to see these girls play for each other, any mistake made was covered by a teammate. Double team was common and there was always perfect covering and movement and support off and on the ball.
I was taken aback at the number of agricultural challenges and how no quarter was given by any of the teams on display.
TT started brightly running at Chile and trying the shot, using the flanks or playing a tru ball through the center. The attack was varied and it resulted in a number of corners which were delivered expertly from a tall indian looking number 14. Every corner was trouble for Chile and TT were good with all their set pieces.
It was from a corner or throw that a TT fwd got the ball, trapped screened and turned the defender and hit a shot that crept past the goalie.
TT 1-0 after a few minutes and it was pandemonium in the stadium....chants start, horn blow, wave start to go around the stadium and while the girls in they glee and doing celebrations...Chile organize theyself, kick off again and ketch TT napping. From there the jep nest raise...and Chile start to pass the ball around and raid our goal.
Chile have a lil number 9 with skill for days, cyap, rolly poly, fan, wrong address, cutback...she had it all and was playing sensibly with the Chile 10 and 14 finding spaces and playing the tru ball working the TT left wingback with the lil fro/jerri curls.
On many an occasion the tiny mite TT keeper kept us in the game...coming off her line bravely over and over to stop the Chilean fwds. She has a good safe pair of hands. Can kick the ball long very well, reads the game, switches the point of attack well, calms the ball or sends it out for the counter....the girl good. Is jess she short.
TT goes into the half 1-0 up and both teams had chances on goal. TT getting a few crosses to no one and being dangerous on the corners. Chile getting the tru ball in the space between stopper and wingback but keeper wrapping up effectively.
After 60 min, both teams were bun and scrappy play then ensued.
However you saw tactical adjustment from TT by Pellerud.
Anytime Chile started getting back into the game, a fwd/midfielder drops back to double team and hustle. effectively going to a 4-5-1. We would then play hoof out ball long to the wings....to instruction. Letting the fwds chase it long and push the Chileans back into their half.
Then you would see the coach come back to the touchline shout something and after the Chileans drop back...we then start to hit them a short passing game tru the middle.
With 70 mins to go...we then look to keep the lead and hit on the counter with TT subbing the hard working number 3 up top for an energetic number 10.
Folks the sub came on ran after a long ball..."pongs off" perfectly legal shoulder to shoulder challenge with a chile defender, hits the onrushing defender a tock tock beat on the by line and from an acute angle slaps a shot across the face of the goal into the far corner.
A BESS goal...
The whole stadium jump up, we celebrating and then the ref calls the goal back.
Well is level boo and cuss the ref get and from there the ref like she was playing for Chile...is level foul, corner, throw in all going Chile's way and it started to frustrate the TT players. Chile pelting blade...no foul. TT not getting any help from the assistant lines people and Chile started using the off the ball fouls and dirty tactics.
Elbow and stamp start to pass...and guess what our girls dished it right back...in heaping portions too.
Even if TT lost this game...those girls made us proud cause they giving it their all.
The crowd started getting into it and big men cussing and shouting and making comment when mistakes were made...I had to tell the fella next to me to calm down....is a lil girl trying her best not a big hard back man.
Anyway...with the disallowed goal TT goes for it again and from a corner, the Chile goalie cannot hold it bobbles up, scruffles around and from nowhere a shot is taken...lobbing the keeper and remaining defenders.
2-0 and we looking good to go.
Then the TT jumbie kicks in along with the referee bias...and petty infringements are called against us.
We like to do things the hard way and a free kick is given away from about 30 meters out. A wall is put up but a Chilean girl hits a very good shot and it beats the little tiny mite in the TT goal.
I felt real sorry for the keeper as she didnt put a foot wrong and she tried to reach, but saw it late and could not jump high enough.
with 10 minutes to go Pellerud makes 2 more changes...an injury occuring to TTs winger and a new fwd coming on.
We holding on...is boom kick football and hit and hope and Chile got a free kick in the 90th min.
The goalscorer tried her luck from distance again and my heart jumped and skipped a beat as the tiny mite keeper jumped in the nick of time and pushed the ball...it then crashed against the bar and out for a scramble.
Tweet...full time and is celebration and warm feelings all around.
and it did not stop there....TT went and warm down, the team started to stretch, they went tru their after match routine...then came the hugs, jumps and waves to the crowd.
Forumites there are areas to improve, but confidence, attitude, simple football, positional play and team shape are good. We have to be a bit fitter...we have to be a little more composed on the ball, not switch off and be alert in the final 3rd. More shots to goal would be good as I find these keepers at this level suspect.
This team won many hearts tonight and I encourage you to give them your support and go and watch the remaining games. You will not be disappointed.
Till next time.
