Warriors Tell The World: We Reach

Popular Trinidadian soca artiste Iwer George has a Soca Warrior tribute tune entitled We Reach. Catchy chorus: “Tell them we reach / we going World Cup in Germany / I want you to reach in your pocket / I want to you take out your flag / wave it and tell the world / we reach!” It’s a flag-waving, chest-thumping celebration of our qualification.

In a sense, even though the Warriors haven’t even touched down in Germany yet (despite those rumours of an invasion), the Warriors have indeed arrived. Warrior-mania is spreading rapidly – it’s already gripped the Scots, the Irish, the Welsh and the Germans. The fans aren’t the only ones who can’t get enough – the Soca Warriors seem to be the media darlings of this World Cup.

Jason Scotland – whose last name has single-wordedly converted the Tartan Army to our cause – is starring in a series of Irn-Bru commercials. The ads are very, very funny – there are three of them so far, all available on YouTube (1, 2, 3). Jason is a natural on camera, and has a gorgeous smile.

Carlos Edwards is writing a column for the Guardian UK. (I must admit, I’m jealous). His first installment, provacatively titled “We don’t fear anyone, not even England”, recounts his experiences with his fellow Warriors at the various training camps they’ve been attending recently. Cracking quote about Leo “Warrior Chief” Beenhakker – “All the players like him and respect him because Leo is 100% frank with us. He’ll bollock Dwight Yorke, he’ll bollock anyone.” The writing is fluent and expressive – if Carlos ever decides to hang up his cleats, he might just have a lively literary future ahead of him.

Chris Birchall, who will be sporting Joma boots when he scores against England in June, is also the face of their “Learn German” campaign.

Some of the other Warriors – including Carlos, Chris, Dwight Yorke and Dennis Lawrence – feature in this month’s UK edition of the monthly men’s magazine, Esquire. Apparently, Trinidad & Tobago are the “the sharpest-dressed team in Germany.”

Well yes.

Fortunately, it seems that all of this attention hasn’t distracted from the real reason they’re going to Germany – to play football. The Warriors beat Austria Vienna 3-2 on Tuesday. Our goals were scored by Stern John (the top T&T scorer), Kenwyne Jones (who scored in our friendly against Peru) and Jason Scotland.

The Warrior meet Wales on Saturday. Most exciting.

Vibes it up my Warriors. The Warrior Nation is very proud of you.