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Heights and Highlights

June 11th, 2006 | By: Stacy-Marie Ishmael | 25 Comments »

I’m still too excited to form coherent sentences on the first attempt, and the final whistle blew almost seven hours ago. Nonetheless, here’s my match report.

At the Masque Bar & Lounge in London, Soca Warriors supporters of all shapes, sizes and colours assembled to watch the match. Resplendent in our red, white and black, we were anxious, excited, happy, nervous as we milled around, waiting.

The soca that had been blasting out of the bar’s speakers stopped abruptly as soon as the images on the giant screen flashed to the Warriors marching out onto the field. We cheered when we spotted our fellow fans in the stands, and when the first strains of our national anthem tinkled out over the speakers, we stood up as one and sang proudly aloud, “Forged from the love of liberty…”

That was the last moment of calm that we enjoyed. We the old, the young, the newly-arrived immigrants and second-generation Londoners. We the Welsh, the French, the Jamaicans, the St. Lucians who came along to show their support, to root for the underdogs of the tournament.

I could barely take notes. My hands were shaking. I couldn’t sit still. We were no longer “on the road to Germany.” No – we had arrived. We’d reached the world stage, and this was no longer a warm-up, a friendly against Iceland, Peru, Slovenia or the Czech Republic.
It was time to play.

And play we did.

Shaka Hislop in goal, and a shot of a distraught Kelvin Jack with an icepack attached to his calf. 4-5-1, duly scribbled in the notebook, along with my preliminary thoughts on the selection (Brent Sancho starting, brilliant! One striker – Stern John; No sign of Latapy, not surprised…)

Five minutes later the book and pen were abandoned as I stood sat cringed yelled screamed cheered paced gestured – and I was not alone. There was no one in the bar who was not tense with equal parts excitement and anxiety. Five minutes into the game, I found myself thinking – we’re defending. BRENT GET ON! We’re attacking. We’re passing. We’re calm. We’re settled. We’re…OH SAVE BOY SHAKA!…We’re reclaiming possession OH GOOD RUN CARLOS! We’re showing no fear.

We were playing like Warriors, to a man. The fighting spirit of the Caribbean was everywhere in evidence.

The whistle blew for the end of the first half – 0-0. I couldn’t believe it. We’d held Sweden to a goal-less draw – despite the repeated attempts of Ibrahimovic, Larsson et al.

And then 30 seconds into the second half – disaster. Avery John, a lunging tackle, a red card. 10 men.

The faces around me fell. My heart dropped into my red shoes.

But we held on. More than that – we played to win. Samuel off, Cornell Glen on. A player who hadn’t seen action in weeks, whose form would have been affected by his hamstring injury. A striker. A striker? We’re down to 10 men against Sweden and Beenie brings on a striker?

The ITV commentators couldn’t believe it. “They’re playing to win, these Soca Warriors.” “The Swedes will be embarassed if they can’t beat 10 men from the Caribbean.”

In an instant Glen struck, and struck again (oh, the agony of the crossbar!). Shaka saved, and saved and saved and had us screaming and cheering and wholly unable to be still. And throughout, Edwards bobbed and weaved and frustrated Ibrahimovic. Brent Sancho marshalled his backline and defended like a trooper. Like a Warrior. Birchall was everywhere – in front feeding the ball to Stern, in midfield, in defence rescuing Edwards and Sancho when it looked like they would be overwhelmed by a desperate Scandinavian onslaught. The Duke, Dwight Yorke, the party-boy is all grown up. Our captain, leading by example, led us to what felt like a victory. And Beenhakker smiled.

Tags: Soca Warriors, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago

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Comments

By Trent | June 11th, 2006 at 2:48 am

Congrats on an awesome result for the Warriors! Well-deserved and one of the best scoreless draws I’ve ever seen. The bar I was watcing it in had no Swedes and no Trinis, but everyone was living and dying with every shot.

Nice.

By Vin | June 11th, 2006 at 2:53 am

stacy-marie, WOW – you write very, very well. That has to be the most well-written thing I have seen on this site.

God bless your Soca Warriors! I’ll be watching them for sure, because if/when these guys score a goal, it’s going to be a crazy time up in the stadium!

I’d love to be down in the islands right now; the celebration must be intense.

Posted from United States

By stacy-marie ishmael | June 11th, 2006 at 3:14 am

Trent – I thought I was going to have a heart attack today. How will I survive until the end?

Vin – Thank you very, very much. That means a lot to me And you’re so right – I wish I could be home right now!

Posted from United Kingdom

By Michael Edwardes | June 11th, 2006 at 3:29 am

(from Toronto, Canada)
Nice writing, Stacy. I’m a Luton fan (lived there till the age of 6), and of course a Carlos fan. I watched the game hoping to see Carlos do well, and he certainly didn’t disappoint. During the last 20 minutes, he seemed to be the only one pushing for the win. He showed some very skilfull moves, forcing Sweden to stay away from the right.
I can hardly wait to see what plans T&T will have for England.

By Aadam | June 11th, 2006 at 4:28 am

I laughed, i sang, i screamed, i cried and nearly died a couple times. But win or lose, those fighters did not give up, kept on pushing and what an INCREDIBLE job they did. Shaka, Birchall and Sancho really wielded their swords to the end on a team that did nothing but give their all. That red card was completely unecessary however, and incredibly disappointing for the standard of officiating of this world cup. Replays clearly show an all-ball first contact. Had this [...] not happened, Beenhakker would have surely deployed Latapy to put blows on their goalie.

Posted from United States

By crabbie | June 11th, 2006 at 4:47 am

Beautiful report, Stacy!! I’m with you in spirit! It was a brilliant game, strong, energetic, disciplined. In short, they were Warriors. Aadam, I agree about the red card. I think he made a big mistake on that call. My face went numb, my hands went cold. Sweden substituted and then subsituted again but we had the answer every time. And the answer was “NO!” Loving all of you and all Trinis everywhere. And most of all, loving the Warriors!!!

Posted from Canada

By Lunz | June 11th, 2006 at 5:06 am

Brilliant Shaka Hislop and co, take my breath away…

congratulation,
My favourite team now…

Posted from Malaysia

By Vin | June 11th, 2006 at 5:15 am

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=160964372

I was wondering what the scene would be like on Trinidad & Tobago… there’s a report.

Posted from United States

By MaskedWriter | June 11th, 2006 at 5:49 am

To quote a cheesy line from Braveheart: You fought like Warrior-Poets.

Kudos on your huge result. A great day for all Carribeaners. Just eek out one win and then hope for goal differentials and you’ve written another chapter.

Posted from United States

By Dan in Boulder | June 11th, 2006 at 10:12 am

While I’m just a plain ole fan of the USA, you guys warmed my heart to overheated by your brilliant performance against the supposedly dominant Swedes.

That’s what great soccer is all about! Go get England, they don’t look all that to me. I think you can handle them. And pursue your dream with all your might.

I’m hoping and dreaming for you, you Soca Warriors all!

Great, great perfomance. You have my suprising and new-found respect for your glorious effort in the face of almost insurmountable odds.

YOU CLIMBED THE MOUNTAIH!

Posted from United States

By Dickon Springate | June 11th, 2006 at 10:36 am

Stacy-Marie

You’ve made a grown man cry.

No one would ever call me the world biggest football fan, but after reading your blogs I can’t help but feel a lump in my throat.

As befits your own teams performance, your passion, belief, courage and heart cannot fail but to inspire the same in others.

My own blog entry for the game was woeful compared to yours.

Your team showed more fire with only 10 men than most do with 11.

The Caribbean really does have world class spirit with supporters to match.

Posted from United Kingdom

By bollocks | June 11th, 2006 at 11:47 am

i got goosebumps reading your blog…
congratulations, i think that all teams should be like t&t – all heart!

Posted from Croatia

By Lisa | June 11th, 2006 at 1:17 pm

Wow your writing… after reading the swedish press I needed this positive spirit! I just wanted to say congrats. T&T did a great game and I really hope you’re going to make to the round of sixteen. Along with Sweden off course.

Posted from Sweden

By Keyser | June 11th, 2006 at 1:26 pm

I cannot wait to see T&T – ENG
Every WC has a surprise team. This time it can be you.

By Susan M | June 11th, 2006 at 6:06 pm

Sweet Sweet T&T God I love my Country, My heart is bursting with joy ah can’t wait till Thursday we go kick some English Butts.Soca Warriors big up from Canada no matter what happens from here on TRINIDAD WIN THE WORLD CUP AH READY

By Andre Sooklal | June 11th, 2006 at 7:15 pm

I now have no voice..as a result of this lovely day !

This is the start about something special for the future!
i was dismissed for my 20 years for supporting us through thick and thin…and it cannot be described how it feels to finally see us prove many wrong..
but their is much to do still..

Posted from Trinidad And Tobago

By Love | June 11th, 2006 at 7:24 pm

Good God,I love T&T,I love Shaka Hislop..my man…love Shaka Hislop..my man…love Shaka Hislop..my man…

Posted from Malaysia

By Brian Alleyne | June 11th, 2006 at 9:11 pm

This is a great accomplishment for the Soca Warriors, they were not humiliated in there first game and the hopes and dreams of every former and future Trinbago football player is now brighter. More opportunities will arise through continued solid perfomances by the Soca Warriors!!!!!

Posted from United States

By kevin | June 11th, 2006 at 9:35 pm

soca warriors rule! WOOHOO! englan, paraguay, watch out..we reach!

Posted from Trinidad And Tobago

By Boksic | June 11th, 2006 at 11:17 pm

You had a great deal of luck, no such thing against England, but hey, who cares, congrats for the well deserved point!!!!

Posted from Sweden

By Aadam | June 12th, 2006 at 9:13 am

All these references to heart attacks. Today the Newsday(TT) reported that indeed, a man from south Trinidad, a police officer, died from a heart-attack during the Tri-Swe match of Saturday.

Posted from United States

By FIFAworldcup.com - The Un Official Site of Fifa World Cup 2006 | June 12th, 2006 at 12:52 pm

Video: Trinidad & Tobago vs Sweden

Date Played: June 10, 2006 (Group Stage)

Below is a video of the FIFA World Cup 2006 game between Trinidad & Tobago and Sweden wherein no goals were made. Trinidad & Tobago celebrates the draw especially when this is their first time in the …

Posted from United States

By joel | June 12th, 2006 at 3:36 pm

The best feeling was hearing the national anthem being played before the game and realiseing that we really reach..lol.
to the sweedish guy boksic…you all thought you would have won too. What I know will happen now is that England will definitely not be predicting anything and making the same mistake you guys did. A next thing, carlos edwards made ibrahmovic look like a regular player. them fellas real pull through.

Posted from Trinidad And Tobago

By crabbie | June 12th, 2006 at 9:23 pm

Joel, you have it right bredren!! England and Sweden thought they could walk over the Trinis, the press thought they could walk over the Trinis but they didn’t know. Boksic, my friend, congrats to you all as well. However, with 10 men, for them to still hold off the Swedes AND almost get a goal of their own, I would say it’s quite a bit more than luck. I would say it’s skill, discipline and determination and I’m sure they’ll have plenty of that left for England. WARRIORS!!!

Posted from United States

By Proud Trini | June 15th, 2006 at 4:01 am

WELL DONE…that is to all those people that said we could not do it…not only did we draw with Sweden …BUT WE DID IT WITH 10 MEN after the red card to avery john which was not necessary nor deserved… we really reach… england and paraguy better watch themselves, Shaka will hopefully maintain that level of skill and brilliance with the rest and we will BUSS DEM UP !

Posted from Trinidad And Tobago

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