Its November 19th 1989, once again.
I realise that there isn't a Trini football fan who doesn't ruefully shake his head on every anniversary of the Trinidad and Tobago vs the US, World Cup 1990 Qualifier. To clarify, it's known as soccer to the US, football to the rest of the world. "The beautiful game" to everybody.
I was there. A red speck in a stadium nation of red world cup euphoria. I remember the then Minister of Sport Jennifer Johnson congratulating the Strike Squad on the radio for the yeoman's job they had done thus far and that win or lose, they did us proud.
Really they did. Who could forget Kerry Jamerson's scorching bullets from outside the box against Guatemala. Leonson Lewis beating enemy right backs through sheer speed with the occasional spanner thrown in for good measure. Leo used to intimidate his college 100m opponents by jiggling his massive thighs. Russel Latapy, weaving his magic in midfield with Hutson Charles and Philbert Jones, releasing Maurice Alibey to zoom in on goal. Our most famous football export, Dwight Yorke lurking in the penalty area.
I think three calypsos were penned for the event, "Road to Italy", SuperBlue, Colin Lucas' "Football Dance" and Power's "Goal". "Football Dance" had an actual dance for it. If you remember it, post a comment, heh heh. It was hilarious. I don't care if the Hasely Crawford stadium was oversold or who paid who. We lost. One stinking goal.
I watched the current incarnation of the Strike Squad, the Soca Warriors, vs St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday. Pathetic. No midfield. No strategy. Hold on let me get a tissue.
We scraped through 2-1. Scored in the 86th and 90th minute, St Vincent having scored first. We played better football in school back in 1986. Presentation College vs El Do' in the League. At least we had a plan and won the league.
We were lucky against St Vincent. Football is like that. Remember Haiti 1974? I was too young but I read about it. We qualify for the final round of World Cup 2006 qualifiers with the US, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. The first three teams qualify for the World Cup Finals, Germany 2006. Fourth place plays off against the fifth best Asian team to qualify as well. Bertille St Clair has his hands full.
Maybe consultations with some of our past greats like Gally Cummings, Earl (Spiderman) Carter, Sedley Joseph, Jean Mouttet or Aldwyn Ferguson might work. A senior, experienced objective view can do a world of good. Hell even get Jumbo the nutsman. Provide support to Bertille St Clair and his technical team. Probe for solutions, not point fingers as is the norm.
I wonder where Brian Williams is? Please don't get Michael Maurice.
Trinidad football today is better than it has ever been. Look at the amout of overseas pros. Not that that means anything in this Strike Squad reincarnation. Maybe we should have a friendly: local based players vs foreign based players. See what happens. I'll bet on the local team.
I realise that there isn't a Trini football fan who doesn't ruefully shake his head on every anniversary of the Trinidad and Tobago vs the US, World Cup 1990 Qualifier. To clarify, it's known as soccer to the US, football to the rest of the world. "The beautiful game" to everybody.
I was there. A red speck in a stadium nation of red world cup euphoria. I remember the then Minister of Sport Jennifer Johnson congratulating the Strike Squad on the radio for the yeoman's job they had done thus far and that win or lose, they did us proud.
Really they did. Who could forget Kerry Jamerson's scorching bullets from outside the box against Guatemala. Leonson Lewis beating enemy right backs through sheer speed with the occasional spanner thrown in for good measure. Leo used to intimidate his college 100m opponents by jiggling his massive thighs. Russel Latapy, weaving his magic in midfield with Hutson Charles and Philbert Jones, releasing Maurice Alibey to zoom in on goal. Our most famous football export, Dwight Yorke lurking in the penalty area.
I think three calypsos were penned for the event, "Road to Italy", SuperBlue, Colin Lucas' "Football Dance" and Power's "Goal". "Football Dance" had an actual dance for it. If you remember it, post a comment, heh heh. It was hilarious. I don't care if the Hasely Crawford stadium was oversold or who paid who. We lost. One stinking goal.
I watched the current incarnation of the Strike Squad, the Soca Warriors, vs St Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday. Pathetic. No midfield. No strategy. Hold on let me get a tissue.
We scraped through 2-1. Scored in the 86th and 90th minute, St Vincent having scored first. We played better football in school back in 1986. Presentation College vs El Do' in the League. At least we had a plan and won the league.
We were lucky against St Vincent. Football is like that. Remember Haiti 1974? I was too young but I read about it. We qualify for the final round of World Cup 2006 qualifiers with the US, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. The first three teams qualify for the World Cup Finals, Germany 2006. Fourth place plays off against the fifth best Asian team to qualify as well. Bertille St Clair has his hands full.
Maybe consultations with some of our past greats like Gally Cummings, Earl (Spiderman) Carter, Sedley Joseph, Jean Mouttet or Aldwyn Ferguson might work. A senior, experienced objective view can do a world of good. Hell even get Jumbo the nutsman. Provide support to Bertille St Clair and his technical team. Probe for solutions, not point fingers as is the norm.
I wonder where Brian Williams is? Please don't get Michael Maurice.
Trinidad football today is better than it has ever been. Look at the amout of overseas pros. Not that that means anything in this Strike Squad reincarnation. Maybe we should have a friendly: local based players vs foreign based players. See what happens. I'll bet on the local team.
3 comments:
Nice read. I think about it lot, but I see it for what it was; a damn good effort.
Laterz.
Thanks for commenting, I think it was a great effort too. Its just sad that from that high standard in 1989, we're reduced to this class of playing with so many pros in 2004.
Another good read, I cannot get enough of this blog! Thanks again, Jon. Hope all is well. Regards, Hangover Cure
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