Trinidad and Tobago chances to go through from the final qualifying stages were bleak to say the least. Progressing through a group that included the United States, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala was certainly a tough nut to crack.
They could only pick up one point from their first three games, which had their doors almost shut. But the appointment of a new coach Leo Beenhakker breathed new life into their campaign.
Requiring nothing less than a win from their last match in qualifying, Trinidad and Tobago triumphed against superpowers Mexico to book a place in play-offs with Bahrain. The final match of their campaign proved to be a thriller as they won in Bahrain, which resulted in jubilant celebrations back home.
This is the first time Trinidad and Tobago has reached the FIFA World Cup finals, after failing 10 times previously since the first attempt in 1966.
Dutchman Beenhakker has already become a sort of a messiah after bailing out the team from dire circumstances.
Having coached some the elite clubs like Ajax and Real Madrid, Beenhakker has tasted most major successes in club football with his old school and conventional tactics.
This year’s FIFA World Cup will be a fitting farewell for the nation’s most famous and illustrious footballer ever, Dwight Yorke. He’s is only player from Trinidad and Tobago to have tasted a Champions League success, during his time at Manchester United.
Other footballers to watch out for will be forward Stern John and Russell Latapy.
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