Friday, June 9, 2006

by Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

ROTENBURG, Germany: Trinidad and Tobago's Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker has confirmed he will not be using captain Dwight Yorke as an out-and-out striker for their first FIFA World Cup tournament group match, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 10 in Dortmund, Germany.

Beenhakker said the former Manchester United forward has adjusted well since his playing days for Aston Villa and United, and will play in a deeper role in the tournament opener against Sweden.

"I have decided on the position of Dwight Yorke," he said. "He has to play in between the midfield and the strikers and not as a target man anymore."

Apart from the adjustment of Yorke's role, Beenhakker revealed there will be no further modifications to his side as they prepare for an attacking Swedish side, led by strikers Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Arsenal's speedster Freddie Ljungberg.

"They (Sweden) play very organised and they are totally focused (when) bringing the ball up front to their strikers. They have lots of talent up front.

"We want to play the way we play, we wouldn't change much," Beenhakker added.

Following the trio of World Cup warm up defeats in their build up to face some the best European teams in the first round group fixtures, there have been quarries about the team's mental and physical readiness, but Beenhakker stated that all the players are ready to represent their country.

"We have a team who would play with a lot of courage and a lot of pride," he said. "We have no illusions about this tournament. We are the outsiders and we are celebrating playing against the world's best teams.

"But I think we have prepared well and are in good form. In football, you always have some surprises."

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