In the aftermath of this country’s resounding 2-1 victory over CONCACAF giants Mexico on Wednesday to book a spot in the playoffs for qualification to Germany 2006, several international organizations and media companies have been offering congratulatory messages to the team, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and Special Advisor Jack Warner.
T&T’s win was highlighted throughout the United Kingdom and even as far as Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, parts of United States and of course Bahrain and even Guatemala. There was also an outpour of messages from local organizations, banks and other companies as well as T&T organizations in North America and the UK.
Head of International Relations for the English FA, Jane Bateman wrote to Warner: “Just a short note to congratulate you and the Trinidad & Tobago national team for reaching the play-offs for the FIFA World Cup in Germany 2006! Having had such a close involvement with the earlier preparations and, of course, through our work with you, we keep a very close eye on the team's progress. We in England are fortunate to have reached the end - thank goodness! - of our qualifying campaign and do hope that we will be seeing you and your team in Germany next year.”
At least three Jamaican Radio Stations had been praising the T&T team during call in talk shows before and after the win and Captain Horace Burrell publicly spoke of how thrilling the experience on Wednesday night was, comparing it to that of 1998 qualifiers when Jamaica made it to France. The Irish National Radio Station also had TTFF Media as guests on their Thursday live talk show saying that they were looking forward to supporting T&T in Germany since their team did not make it to the Finals.
Even President of the Costa Rican Federation, Vargas Hermes sent Warner an email message which read “Dear President and friend Congratulations. I know the meaning of this for you and I am sure you will accomplish the goal as anything you have taken as a goal in your life.”
CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said he was on the edge of his seat. “I thought it was going to be a nightmare when Stern John had missed the penalty and Guatemala was up 3-0. But, the night turned out the right way. Enjoy the moment and lets get ready for the Bahrainians,” Blazer stated.
Antiguan official Chet Greene was in the stadium as an official witnessing Guatemala’s win over Costa Rica.
”You can imagine just how happy I am tonight, congratulations. After Guatemala scored their three goals and the news was reported in the stadium that you were one goal down to Mexico, my heart sank. I was relieved somewhat when it as announced that the scores were level and totally ecstatic when it was reported that you had scored a second goal. From that point onwards, the game (in Guatemala) had little significance to the local fans as they continued to follow the Trinidad match. It was a sad scene after the game for them," Greene recalled.
FIFAworldcup.com did not hold back from letting the viewers from around the world know what the “Warriors” achieved on Wednesday.
“Trinidad and Tobago waited until the bitter end to show their class and book a historic spot in the Germany 2006 play-off with Asian upstarts Bahrain. Just one step from the glory of a debut appearance at a FIFA World Cup™ finals and becoming only the second English speaking Caribbean side to do so since Jamaica in 1998, the islanders can take heart from the fact that they saved the best for last at the tail-end of their qualifying campaign,” the site stated.