World

North America

Trinidad and Tobago

Memories Remain

June 21st, 2006 | By: Stacy-Marie Ishmael | 9 Comments »

I have loved this game ever since I first kicked (well, tripped over) a football in my backyard in Trinidad, at an age when crawling still came more naturallly than this awkward two-leggedness.

I’ve played various sports at different levels, but none have ever come close to usurping football’s throne. Perhaps I inherited this love (though alas, not the skills) from my grandfather, John “Bull” Sutherland, one of T&T’s greatest forwards. I’ve lost my voice dozens of times after cheering and jeering at countless Intercol and Secondary Schools’ Football matches in T&T; I’ve been to various editions of the Copa Caribe tournament, and was present at almost every match when Trinidad hosted the Under-17 FIFA World Championship, where I witnessed Tevez’s skills first hand.

I was five years old when the Strike Squad, as our team was known then, came agonisingly close to qualifying for the 1990 World Cup. In the 17 years since that 1-0 loss to the USA, I have endured the agony of 5-1 losses to Guatemala and experienced the rapture of our first ever World Cup qualification. I’ve seen the wonders that a Dutchman can do, and watched Dwight Yorke’s transformation from Casanova to Captain. I’ve seen Russell Latapy light up a midfield and Shaka Hislop save a nation.

For the first time, I’ve been able to cheer my country on at football’s greatest event. My heroes – our heroes – from Luton and Wrexham, Jabloteh and New England Revolution, took on Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United and showed them all what it means to be a Warrior.

The Soca Warriors are going home without a goal and without a trophy, but they are not going home empty handed. They take with them the love of millions, the passions of a small country with big dreams and the respect of a whole world.

Vibes it up my Warriors, now and forever.

Tags: Copa Caribe, Dwight Yorke, Leo Beenhakker, Russell Latapy, Shaka Hislop, Soca Warriors, Strike Squad, Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago World Cup RSS Feed

Comments

By Stuart | June 21st, 2006 at 1:25 pm

Great showing, T&T…of course now your infected and nothing less than returning every 4 years will suffice!

By T Assing | June 21st, 2006 at 3:19 pm

Stacy-Marie thank your for shining your nationality brighter

Posted from Trinidad And Tobago

By Jonathan L-H | June 21st, 2006 at 5:53 pm

Hi,

I’m writing my contemporary war and peace studies MA dissertation on Football and post conflict reconciliation, resolution and rehabilitation.

we should talk. your dissertation sounds interesting

email me if interested in sharing ideas etc

Jonathan Lea-Howarth

Posted from United Kingdom

By Martin | June 21st, 2006 at 10:16 pm

Stacy-marie.

Great blog and well done to T&T at the WC. Maybe no goal but you have a point and go home with your head held well and truly high.

Shaka was just great.

Is Yorkie still gonna head back to Oz and play out his contract with Sydney FC (just wanted to know – my team and have not heard much)?

Posted from United States

By Euler | June 21st, 2006 at 11:20 pm

Thank you Stacy for every text you wrote. It is very sad to see a nice rookie go home so soon. You got me cheering for T&T with your words about the Soca Warriors. They may come from a small country, but also from a great nation. I hope to see T&T in 2010 too.

I also hope to read more from you! Here or anywhere else.

By Reza | June 22nd, 2006 at 2:43 am

Big ups to T & T! Make sure you’re back for 2010!

Posted from Canada

By crabbie | June 22nd, 2006 at 5:45 pm

Stacy, thank you for your excellent posts. I’ve really enjoyed reading them! I hope you will keep blogging; if you’re going to keep up with Warrior news elsewhere, please let us know. I’m so, so proud of them. They came to the biggest tournament in the world, played their hearts out and won respect. All I can say, now and always is … WARRIORS!!

Posted from United States

By Dr.Oriel La.Borde | July 2nd, 2006 at 6:36 am

Very!very! heartfelt and pleasant memories Soca Worriors you have made Trinidad and Tobago
respected throughout the world.
I watch all your games on satelite or the internet.Soca Worriors you played very well.In your game with England I lost my voice everyone in de house taught I was going crazy but It was T&T on the world stage and I could not contain the excitment.
No goal scored but respect and prominence won througout the world.Thank you Socca Worriors.

Posted from United States

By Rene | July 6th, 2006 at 10:03 pm

We love you Soca Warriors ! Make us proud in 2010 !

Posted from Netherlands