Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Trinidad have no fear of England

Thursday, June 15, 2006

by: Martin Parry

NUREMBERG, Germany (AFP): Minnows Trinidad and Tobago play their biggest ever match against England on Thursday, but have no fear of their star-studded opponents.

The West Indians are on a high after holding Sweden to a 0-0 draw in their opening game and while respect is there for England's array of talented players, they will not be overawed, said coach Leo Beenhakker.

And far from playing for a draw, they are out to shock Sven-Goran Eriksson's side.

"The ideal result for us of course is winning the game. You can't bring a team and prepare them for a draw. That is not the way professional coaches and players go into a game," said the former Dutch national coach, who was in charge of the Netherlands at the 1990 World Cup.

"No-one has to explain to us that on paper there is a big difference in the talent, but we have seen that there are no guarantees for the bigger teams to win games.

"It is not as easy as it seems for them. We compensate for our lack of talent by playing with passion."

England struggled in their opening 1-0 win over Paraguay in intense heat, and Beenhakker is hoping the weather is the same in Nuremberg, which will favour Trinidad and Tobago.

"Hot weather will help very much," he said. "I am looking forward to it being hotter and hotter."

Trinidad will again look to the experience of skipper Dwight Yorke to steer them in the right direction, with the former Manchester United striker again expected to be pushed into a defensive midfield role.

West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who was outstanding in the Sweden match, is set to continue between the posts with first choice keeper Kelvin Jack still recovering from a knee injury. Avery John is suspended after being sent off against Sweden.

Beenhakker, a three-time Spanish title winner with Real Madrid, said his side knew that they were playing in the biggest game of their lives, but they had their feet on the ground.

"We are focused, we are going to play it with a smile but we have our feet on the ground," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in them, and they are extra motivated because it is a dream for them."

England have been quick to stress that they are not underestimating the Caribbean side following their exploits against Sweden, and Eriksson reiterated this on Thursday.

"For many of their players it is the match of their lives so we expect a very aggressive and hungry team full of confidence after Sweden," he said.

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