Beenhakker Needs to Stick by His Men

Despite the recent high profile story of England-born keeper Tony Warner being swayed to play for his father’s native country, the Soca Warriors will largely be represented in Germany this summer by the group of players that helped the island nation qualify for the first time.

Coach Leo Beenhakker says, “That’s for sure. Not only the way they did the job, in the results they earned all our respect, and in that way I also have to protect the team spirit they showed us during all these qualification matches. So in that way I want to protect the guys who did that job more than ever.”

But in life there is always a caveat and here’s Beenhakker’s:

“…If there are new players who can make the team stronger, and at the same time are prepared to step in the team and pick up the same spirit and the same ambience we have, then they are always also welcome of course…”

This is turning out to be quite the little story. Will T&T stick by its players or will it go for broke by importing naturalized players like Warner?

We should learn more in the next few months, but if it is up to me I say screw the imports. The team that fought valiantly in Bahrain to bring glory to the nation should be the team that plays in Germany. Any country can bring in talent from elsewhere, but victory – like a country’s famous foods – tastes the sweetest when it is a local product.