T&T’s Toughest Opponent

The underdogs, the minnows, the ‘token comedy team’ – these are all monikers that have been affixed to the Warriors since their World Cup qualification last November. We’re not even talking about winning here – no one expects us to get out of Group B alive.

Alright, that’s an exaggeration. Nonetheless, the world will be stunned if we score a single goal – or, dare I say it – exit with a point or two.

Why? Let’s deal with the obvious. We’re facing Sweden, Paraguay and England at the group stage. We’ve not played Sweden before (and Bob predicts that Sweden will top the group.) Our last encounter with the South Americans was a drawn friendly in 1989. Then there’s England, about whom I am less nervous, if only because the likes of Yorke and Hislop (and Birchall) have a wealth of experience dealing with the English style of play.

So who should we be most afraid of? Ourselves.

We’re good, but we’re not brilliant. Birchall is no Rooney, nor is Yorke Tobago’s answer to Ronaldo. Much, much more damning is the fact that we are often inconsistent.

Consistency will be crucial this June. We can’t give anything away or waste a single opportunity. Every moment of each game must be characterised by unflagging discipline, commitment and mental toughness. It is this mental aspect of the game that will decide whether we draw with England or are soundly thrashed. We need more than sporadic displays of fancy footwoork or suggestions of future greatness – we need 90 minutes of solid teamwork. It worked for the Greeks in 2004. It would do us no harm in 2006.