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I could die and go to Heaven now. Eighteen years and 11 months after that infamous November day, when there were tears and cries of anguish all around an overcrowded Hasely Crawford Stadium following the heartbreaking 1-0 defeat which shattered our dreams of Italia 90, Trinidad and Tobago could finally claim victory over the United States of America in a World Cup qualifier.
Putting superlatives and sentiment aside, though, it was a good thing this was just to get into the final round of qualifying and not to book our passage to South Africa 2010 because we didn't exactly shine last week Wednesday against a second-string US squad which lacked commitment, having already secured their place among CONCACAF's so-called "Super Six", who will battle throughout next year for three automatic spots or a playoff against a South American country.

The Soca Warriors produced a workmanlike rather than an inspiring showing, as attested to by former T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop in his new role as an analyst with ESPN.

"It was a decent performance by Trinidad and Tobago...we did what we had to do," said Hislop on the ESPN Soccernet Presspass programme last Friday, to which another member of the panel added: "The United States looked like an Olympic side."

But a win is a win and nothing was sweeter than the final scoreline, 2-1, which left the 18,000 spectators smiling with delight and dancing long into the night, giving us something more pleasant to think about than the daily reports of murder and mayhem in this one-time island paradise which has been rent asunder by brainless politicians and mindless gunmen.

The football fraternity gathered under a near-full moon on a beautiful tropical evening to cheer on our heroes - with Dwight Yorke, Russell Latapy, Chris Birchall, Carlos Edwards and Dennis Lawrence leading the charge - confident that they could put the bogey to rest and beat the Americans.

There were the many diehards, surrounded by the pretty girls with their painted faces, and the youths, a lot of them a long way from even being born back in 1989, some of whom will be carrying our hopes on the pitch in World Cup campaigns to come.

The Warrior Nation's gigantic T&T flag was unfurled in the seats at the side of the south-eastern corner, the Powder Posse filled the air with their namesake at the halfway line, and we all sang the national anthem loudly and lustily. We drank beers, while the more affluent uncorked a flask of Johnnie Walker Black, we munched $4 salt nuts, and those of us so inclined bit into souse covered with seasoning.

Gregory in front pulled out his conch shell and added another sound to the buzzing ground, which included the bmobile "thunder sticks", which the guy in the row behind was pounding over the head of Johnny, who had to look for a Tylenol and change his seat not long after the game started.

One of the better chances which came our way at the southern end in the first half was hit overbar by central defender Keyeno Thomas and those of us who grew up playing football in the park in "Vic" (Victoria Gardens, Diego Martin) were reminded of Steve, who often kicked up into the tree to the right of the goal, while Pappy and Andrew felt that was more associated with big-foot Bambi...and we laughed at the memories.

Jason Scotland had a look-in but lacked power in his shot and we had to wait until they were kicking in the other direction to see the first bulge in "the auld onion bag", according to Hislop's fellow-analyst Tommy Smyth.

And wasn't it fitting that it was Latapy who had us jumping in the aisles.

Overwhelmingly Trinidad and Tobago's most beloved footballer, the Little Magician lacked his usual silky smoothness in the twilight of his career, but there was no rustiness when he struck a sweetly timed volley which gave us the lead.

It didn't last long, though, and while we're on the subject of conceding goals, just in case coach Francisco Maturana isn't sure, someone should tell him that our best back line is still Cyd Gray, Lawrence, Thomas and Avery John.

The first was suspended after being sent off against Guatemala, but there was no obvious reason for the last to have been left out of last week's starting line-up.

And just when some of us were worrying that we would have to settle for a draw, who should step up to put us back in front but Yorke, undoubtedly T&T's most accomplished footballer, who calmly slotted home the penalty that sealed the win.

All was well in the world that night and into the next day. In fact, if we don't look at the front page headlines, that good feeling could last right up to November 19, when our last match in the semi-final round is at home to Cuba and a point will guarantee our passage into CONCACAF'S final qualifying stage.

Knock wood, with a good result against the Cubans, that will be when the real work starts, when talented youngsters like Keon Daniel, who many fans accused of "hiding" against the US, and Khaleem Hyland will have to step up their game in support of the older heads to give us a chance of getting to South Africa.

Hopefully, Kenwyne Jones, one of our brightest prospects since Yorke and Latapy, will soon be back banging in the goals, having recovered from a knee injury, and we'll be able to savour more nights like that of Wednesday, October 15.

Let's go, T&T!