Q: Straight down to business Brent, how happy were you when you got England in the draw?

 

A: You know, you see them day in and day out.  And, again you say, there won't be any surprises there in terms of their-the way they play.  So we're quite optimistic with the draw. A lot of us Trini players are happy with the fact that we drew England because we are all now living there, it will be a massive game for us.  So we're quite looking forward to that one and we're really confident. I mean, all the games we are looking forward to, but especially the England game.  I'll tell you what man, there is a big family out there.  We, I mean we all, we all go out for each other's birthdays - we spend time together, It's like a big, big family; it's close-close.  I mean to me that's one of the reasons that we made it to the World Cup.  When the chips were down, and we weren't doing too well, we still maintained that team spirit.  And that vibe has gotten us through. I have never been a part of a group of with players that are like this.  It's really, really, really nice to know that kind of vibe that we have. I think that the main thing that he's (New national team coach Leo Beenhakker) brought to the squad, to be honest with you, is that he's brought that discipline that we didn't have before. We didn't have that discipline before.  I mean, with the past coach it was a bit like we were a good bunch of players but we were a bit disorganized. I mean, I'm not taking anything away from Mr. (Bertie) Sinclair, I think that he's a good coach as well, but (Leo) Beenhakker brought that professionalism that only players are used to and that organization that made us a tough team to beat.  I mean, if you look at the results with Beenhakker, we stopped conceding as many goals as we used to and we started being a tough team to beat.  And once you start becoming a tough team to beat, you're in with a chance with the likes of Stern John and Dwight Yorke and those guys who can put the ball in the back of the net.   I think, to be honest with you, that one of our strengths is team unity.  I mean, off the pitch we bring it and on the pitch as well.  We have a "never-say-die" attitude.  We don't know any fear, We've come here, we've qualified for the World Cup-we're there and we've got nothing to lose.  So, you're looking at a team with absolutely nothing to lose.  I mean we're going to go out there and play and try, and at the same time, we not coming there to make up the numbers.  We're coming there to compete, and we can believe that we can compete.

 

Q: Any weaknesses in the team

 

A: It's hard to say to be honest with you. Maybe I might just be over looking a couple of things, but I think that we are a very strong team when it comes to our team unity or team's ability to fight for each other.  And once you're a tough team to beat, the ball's rolling; anything is possible. 

 

A: How do you feel about players jumping on the T & T bandwagon and all of a sudden saying they want to play for the national team?

 

A:  You won't be happy, especially when you know every single player has worked so hard to get to where we are now. All of the players have been in the Trinidad team from the inception - and it's hard to see, it's hard to know that players are just going to come up from anywhere and try to take that chance to play on the big stage from players who've worked so hard.  I think it's a bit unfair because if we asked these players to compete or play with us from before, and they didn't want to compete then, why try and compete now. When we had called for you before, you should have been there for us - so I-I think it's a bit unfair that they try to jump on the bandwagon.  It's one of those things that, at the end of the day, the decision is up to the coach.  But you know, we hope that we have the same bunch of boys that brought us to the World Cup to be able to compete in the World Cup as well. 

 

Q: How do the folks at home feel you'll do - is there pressure?

 

A: Oh, I-I think that yeah, we should have public expectations as well. They don't expect us to go there and lay down.   To be fair, when we first started the campaign a lot of people didn't think we'd make it to the World Cup.  We didn't have results to show that but as the team started playing, and the belief started building...I think that the belief is the highest right now in Trinidad as it has even been in Trinidad football.  So I mean, you're looking at a team that has the whole country behind them, in terms of support and belief, and feels that we can accomplish something. 

 

Q: Any predictions

 

A:  I try to stay out of predictions, but at the same time, we look at every game as being tough. Every game is going to be a tough battle for us.  But, of course you know, we believe that we can pull out (points)-as I said, the ball is rolling.  With the team spirit that we have, we believe that we can pull results-a win-from anyone of those three games to be honest with you because we just feel that, if we just go there and compete, and keep the team spirit and unity and the organization that we have now, we'll be a tough team to beat-and that will frustrate a lot of the teams.  So, as I say, as to where the three points will come from, who knows?  But I think that if we maintain that, I expect that it could come from anywhere. 

 

Q: Who are going to be your match winners?

 

A: Hmm...Hmm...I would say, I would say a couple of them. It's hard to say just one name. I think Dwight (Yorke) and as you said there are also names who have been there the longest, in terms of longevity of playing on the world's scene.  But, we have a lot-a lot-of good, talented, young players coming out.  I think that the likes of, of course, Stern John as a goalscorer, and I think Silvio Spann, a midfield player.  You can expect from those two players that they'll make exceptionally good plays.  I wouldn't be surprised if they set the world alight in terms of in terms of what they're going to bring to the World Cup.  And you've really got to look out for those two players.  And, I think that's just to name a few.  There's so many other budding talents coming out that it'd be hard for you to just pin-point one.  But as I say, I think those two in particular are the players that could produce anything on that day.

 

Q: Port Vale's, Chris Birchall is the first white player to appear in the national team in over 60 years. How is he fitting in?

 

A: To be honest, he's fitting in so well in the team.  I mean, when he first joined the team, nobody really knew of him or anything like that.  To be honest with you, Chris (Birchall) is a typical English player in terms of he works very, very hard and he's fitting in with the team and, he's settled in really, really well.  I just wish he'd learn the national anthem by now (laughs).We give him a lot of stick about that because he knows every single Calypso and every single Sokum Song, but he doesn't know the anthem yet. So, hopefully by the World Cup, he'll learn it (laughs). 

 

Q: Who is going to make the World Cup Final?

 

A: You really want to put me on the spot don't you but I feel Brazil-Trinidad final (laughs).  That'd be mine.  I'll say Brazil-Trinidad and Trinidad in penalty kicks. 

 

Q: Will the weather dictate style?

 

A: Well, I think when you look at it, I think that the weather kind of dictates the pace of the game.  I mean in Trinidad, it's very slow, you know, a very skill oriented game, you know, a lot of touches and that kind of stuff.  A lot of skill-individual skill.  In England, it's more fast pace, fluid; it's very, very fluid.  You know, that way it's from one end to the next, as quick as possible.  That type of football because, again it's cold, and so players can run forever over here. 

 

Q: How about football in the US

 

A: In America, which I think has developed so well in football - I think that of all the talent.  As it's seen in a lot of players coming over here (England) and doing so well - the American players, and even the players that left the MLS and are joining the English Premier teams.  So, I think that with the start of the American League they should be proud of what they are doing.  I mean it's a part of a-when you really look at it, it's still a fresh product.  It's not long, it hasn't been out for, when compared to the English and Scottish Leagues and those kinds of leagues.  But they're producing good players, they really are.  And, you know, I look at American as one of those leagues that you have to look at in the future. 

 

Q: Coming form Trinidad weren't you tempted to get into cricket?

 

A: No, no.  But, to be honest with you the first time I got hit with a cork ball kind of crystallized the decision. I think that was it for me, I kind of realized that cricket was not for me really.   So, after that first hit, then I realized that I just need to move on to another sport.  So, yeah, football it was for me all the way along.

 

 

Q: The World Cup is the big party and I know that T & T was devastated in 1990 when the US beat you guy's 1-0. What do you remember of that day?

 

A:  I was actually behind the goal when they scored.  I was a ball boy at the game when T and T lost the game.  I was about 12 years old I think, 11 or 12 years old.  No, probably older, probably 13 or so.  But yeah, the effects of that game man...I can't-I still see it. You know, I can still see it.  I see the ball going over right over Michael Maurice's hands.  I mean right behind the goal.  And the effect it had on the public?  I think that the public didn't want anything to do with football, Trinidad football after that.  So yeah, it did have a major, major effect on me growing up.  I think that one of my own ambitions at the time was just to go to the World Cup.  Just because of what I went (through) watching that game, you know? 

 

Q: How badly was the country affected by that result?

 

A: The football, the attendance of football games during those (years) was next to nothing because nobody wanted to see or do anything with football because of that result. All kinds of things were said about it and then, they felt very hard done about it.  So, you know, at the end of the day, for us to qualify for the World Cup has brought things full circle. Because that day was one of the saddest days in the history of the Republic of Trinidad the nation.  Because, you could have heard a pin drop when the ball went into the back of the net; and it was really sad.  I mean, and to be honest with you I'm kind of happy to be a part of the team that's kind of erased that memory of one of the saddest moments in Trinidad-in Trinidad's history, and Tobago.

 

Q: How big was the party when you came back from Bahrain?

 

A: Well, to put things into perspective, I mean, two things: when we qualified for the World Cup, and when we had a, what do you call it-a street parade.  From the airport?  I mean that's the biggest street parade, I mean that's even bigger than the Carnival.  And, Trinidad Carnival is the biggest thing in the Caribbean - and it's a massive one, probably second to Brazil Carnival.  And, if you could stop the music during the Carnival, the Trinidad Carnival, to announce a friendly score, you know that Trinidad is playing, you know?  Trinidad football is big - so I think that football is the number one-not only the number one sport, but the number one topic in Trinidad right now.

 

Q; Any plans on coming back to America to play in MLS?

 

A: Yeah, I am still.  I am still an American citizen in terms of having a passport and what not.  So that transition will be easy for me to come there.  As to when, I mean to be honest with you, I've had offers to come back to America this season.  I still do have offers on the table.  And, it's still enticing, but right now, I still think I have a couple more years over here and see how far I can reach in the English game. Especially the World Cup coming up.  But, America's a place that holds a spot in my heart and I definitely want to come back.  I still have most of my family who live there, so I still definitely want to come back over there and give it a shot, in the MLS, sooner or later, you know?

 

Brent Sancho who stars for T & T will be doing an exclusive World Cup diary right here on my blog. So make sure you check in every day to see what a World Cup star does during the tournament.

 

Until then, Auf Weidersehen Pet