So the World Cup is just around the corner
February 21, 2006 1:00 PM
Week 1: Trinidad and Tobago: I thought it would be fun to get more of a low down on the opposition for England, and other less familiar teams in the World Cup.
It is Trinidad and Tobago's first World Cup. They will bring vitality and extrovert fans to the World Cup and add to the competition as a spectacle with their colourful costumes. Maybe the football team can put T and T on the map as Brian Lara has for West Indies cricket?
How they got there: won a two-leg play-off against Asia's third-place Group B team, Bahrain, after finishing in fourth place in CONCACAF.
Official Motto:"Together we aspire, together we achieve"
Capital: Port-of-Spain
Coach: Leo Beenhakker (veteran coach who led Ajax in the '70s, and also has managed the Dutch national team, Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid amongst an illustrious list)
If Trinidad and Tobago were a Jobsite Personality Profile they would be: This is a difficult one: They fit "Balancer" in terms of outlook, and the following statement could be written about them:
"You appreciate this flexibility in all areas of your life, interactions and work. The best type of organisation for you is one where people are treated as the most valuable asset. You enjoy the informality, friendliness and democracy."
But their are also elements of the "Survivor" about the way in which they have played to get where they are:
"You're not afraid of taking on physical challenges or risks either. When making decisions you don't waste time doing complicated calculations, you do it on instinct, on gut feeling."
Internet users: 120,000 Internet users out of population of 1.3million.
Key Player: It has been Dwight Yorke, maybe a new star will emerge? Stern John, the Coventry City striker provides the main goal threat (top scorer in qualifying, and Russell Latapy adds ten years experience of the Scottish Leagues at the ripe old age of 37!
Known as: the Soca Warriors
Present Odds: around 750-1
Worth a flutter: If you are the biggest risk taker in the world. They may cause an upset in one game though.
To find out more about the land of the Soca Warriors:
108 days to go until the start of the World Cup in Germany 2006...
Joe McTiernan
Comments
I think you'll find that Viv Richards put the West Indies on the cricketing map long before Brian Lara did.
Does this mean I'm getting old, because I can remember Viv Richards at his test peak?
Nick - February 22, 2006 11:13 AM
Yes but Viv Richards was born in Antigua, and as the article is about Trinidad, that was why it was mentioned.
And no, you are not getting old. I remember the Richards, Malcolm Marshall etc team which destroyed England :0(
Joe Mc - February 22, 2006 12:24 PM
Tobago is a brilliant place, I was lucky enough to be there when they qualified. Be prepared for a darn good party if they win any of their games!
Lynds - February 22, 2006 1:43 PM
Were YOU the reason they qualified?
Joe Mc - February 22, 2006 2:20 PM
No, that was luck.
Wayne - February 22, 2006 4:09 PM
Actually, it was a wise man coming in and putting belief into the guys. You try using a team who had 1 pt from six games and then adding 12pts from the last 5. Kudos to the coach.
Jay - February 26, 2006 2:18 PM