The Warriors Reflect

Somehow, in between giving Sweden a lesson in the art of War, basking in the adoration of millions around the world and preparing for the all-important match against England, the Warriors have managed to find the time to pose for endless photgraphs, sign autographs, give an interview or two and write a column or three.

“Seriously easy going?” Seriously hard working is more like it.

Shaka Hislop penned a typically articulate and thoughtful piece for the UK Times this weekend. Writing about the “proudest moment” of his career, Hislop opined:

It was a perfect day. Well, not quite perfect because I really felt for Kelvin, but I was just so proud. For us to get a draw against Sweden in our first game in the World Cup finals and for me to make a few decent saves along the way, it felt great.

His writing is informed by his modesty, consideration and intelligence. He also succinctly expressed the significance of our ‘win’ against Sweden:

…even more important than the point we won was the point we proved — not only to ourselves, but to the people of Trinidad & Tobago and I think also to people all over the world.

Damn right.

Over at the Daily Record, Russell Latapy continues his ongoing ‘diary’ series. The Little Magician talks about the ‘delerium’ in the Warrior camp after the game, praises both Beenhakker and his teammates and sums up the team’s attitude to June 15th:

For too long, we’ve been our own worst enemies - so we’re not really thinking about [England], just what we can do to improve.

I’ve been worrying that the pressure of being “the little team that could”, the sudden expectations thrust on the team or even overconfidence would negatively affect the Warriors as I count down the days to what a friend of mine has dubbed “England’s day of reckoning.”

These measured accounts from Shaka “Keeper of the Game” Hislop and our number 10 have reassured me immensely.

Onward Warriors.