Preview: Paraguay v Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago will be aiming for a big win over the immensely disappointing Paraguayans when they look to oust Sweden for a spot in the final 16 in Kaiserslautern on Tuesday.
The Soca Warriors need to win the match against the South Americans and hope that England defeat Sweden, and in the process have their goal difference become superior to the Scandinavians.
There is also the little matter of scoring their first tournament goal, but coach Leo Beenhakker is allowing his team to think ahead, even just for a moment.
“We still have a small possibility to go through, but we didn’t expect to be where we are at this stage,” the former Dutch coach said.
In order to ensure England do the right things by the Caribbean Islanders, striker Dwight Yorke is looking to call in a few favours from his Premier League days.
“I will be texting or will call the boys, like (Wayne) Rooney, Becks (David Beckham), Rio (Ferdinand), Gary (Neville),” the former Manchester United striker said after training.
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Phoning it in? |
“I will text them all if I can get their numbers, but certainly most of them anyway.”
Sydney FC player Yorke will be in the heart of midfield for his country and will be looking once again to use his experience at the highest level to guide his team around the park.
He’ll be supported in midfield by Port Vale’s Chris Birchall whose combative displays against Sweden and England have not gone unnoticed.
Troubling the scorers
Importantly though, the debutants from the CONCACAF need goals and will be hoping that the likes of Coventry City’s Stern John can get their goal tally under way.
One player who may see more of an opportunity with goals a priority is the LA Galaxy’s Cornell Glen who has impressed with limited time.
The side though has been told that anything less than three points against Paraguay means the trip of a lifetime will be over.
“We need to make sure we get maximum points against Paraguay, first and foremost and let everything else look after itself,” Yorke said.
While a victory over the South Americans is a tall order, it is not as outrageous as first thought, given the tepid displays put on show by Anibal Ruiz’s side.
Ruiz was voted South American Coach of the Year by a Uruguayan magazine last month, yet will probably find himself looking for another job upon returning home.
Their forward line has been pedestrian and their midfield mundane in two performances that show that just because you come from the same confederation as Argentina and Brazil doesn’t mean you play like them.
More people know about the story of Trinidad and Tobago since this tournament begun and should they prevail here a whole lot more are about to find out.