Wednesday, June 21, 2006

by Justin Davis

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (AFP): Trinidad and Tobago's dreams of qualifying for the second round of the World Cup came crashing to Earth after a 2-0 defeat to already eliminated Paraguay here Tuesday.

Bayern Munich's Julio Dos Santos unlocked the door to goal for the South Americans in the 25th minute, his effort backheaded into Kelvin Jack's goal by Trinidad and Tobago defender Brent Sancho.

Second-half substitute Nelson Cuevas secured Paraguay's third-place finish in Group G with his first goal of the tournament four minutes from the end.

It means Trinidad and Tobago, the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup, leave their debut without scoring a goal but with their heads held high after holding Sweden to a draw and losing 2-0 to England in the last 10 minutes.

To have any chance of qualifying Trinidad needed to beat Paraguay and also hope for an England victory over Sweden in Group B's other fixture at Cologne.

However, despite a brave performance which saw Leo Beenhakker's West Indians come close to levelling in an entertaining second half it was not to be.

Beenhakker said: "I am disapponted for the result. We are all disappointed to be out because we liked it very much here.

"Trinidad and Tobago can be proud. Before the World Cup we were all talking about whether England and Sweden were going to beat us four or five-nil.

"I'm proud of my players. There was a big difference in the level, but Trinidad and Tobago played with pride and passion."

Thousands of fans had travelled to Germany to support the 'Soca Warriors' on their World Cup debut.

And it was to a lively party atmosphere that former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke added some fizz when his succession of three free kicks in the first 15 minutes showed goal promise.

On all three occasions Aldo Bobadilla was forced into evasive action, but it was Cornell Glen's glancing header in the fifth minute which came closest to giving the Caribbeans the lead and had to be parried by the keeper.

Paraguay found reward for their domination in the 25th minute after Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Roberto Acuna fired in a freekick from 25 yards.

Dos Santos headed the ball on, and, unfortunately for Trinidad, so did Sancho as the ball found its way past Jack into the net.

Jack, replacing veteran Shaka Hislop, stopped a South American onslaught in the final minutes including a spectacular stop from Valdez's goalbound header.

In the second half it was mostly one-way traffic as Trinidad played organised, attacking football which led to a string of surging runs and inviting crosses.

Beenhakker, who led Real Madrid to three successive league titles in the 80s, sent on Russell Lapaty and the Falkirk striker's efforts were much appreciated.

Before then a great combination between Kenwyne Jones and Yorke down the right flank saw Yorke's low goalmouth cross go begging.

In the closing stages Trinidad appeared on the verge of snatching a draw, as Jones continued to inspire with a low goalmouth cross which landed beyond Stern John.

Paraguay soaked up the pressure well, and in the 85th minute they went on the offensive, eventually finding the net for a second time when second half substitute Cuevas beat Jack easily after a nice one-two.

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