For part 7 of the series, I caught up with Trinidad and Tobago’s Liam Camps. Camps, 18, is a huge sports fan. Liam got hooked to football when Dwight Yorke signed with Manchester United. From then on, he began to take great interest in football. He followed the team with passion during the ill-fated campaign for the last World Cup. Yorke was one of many who delighted in the inspirational triumph this time around, Camps says.

I thank Camps for agreeing to the interview.

Tell us a bit about the T and T football history and the football culture which exists

Football and cricket are the two major sports in Trinidad and Tobago. The support for the Warriors is typically overwhelming, and hopefully that will be seen in Germany with a sea of red. Twice in our footballing history has the country been in a position to qualify for the World Cup.

The first time was in 1989, but the USA won 1-0 on that occasion. T&T got another life in this campaign, and under the astute leadership of Leo Beenhakker, and as they say, the rest is history.

Tell us a bit about the Road to the World Cup – the qualification, and the emotions the fans went through at the time.

Right now, we are living the dream. It’s still hard to come to terms with the knowledge that, come May, the Soca Warriors are going to Germany, and not just to spectate. In a group with Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama, it was never going to be an easy task to qualify. The team got just 1 point from out first 3 games, and it all seemed over. Then coach Beenhakker arrived, and he turned things around.

First, a 2-0 win against Panama kept hope alive. Despite a clear change in attitude and belief among the players, the Warriors lost 3 of the next 5 games, meaning that they would need an historic victory against bitter rivals Mexico to secure a playoff against Bahrain.

Stern John scored twice and T&T won 2-1. The nation erupted with ecstasy. It was all anyone could talk about, and all we wanted to talk about anyway. HUGE crowds lined up at ticket outlets to try to secure seats at the home leg of the playoff. I was among them. Sadly, despite waiting for 3 hours in the oppressive heat, a sold out counter left me defeated.

When Bahrain scored first at the National Stadium, you could feel the heart of the nation sink at once. That’s what made Chris Birchall’s equalizer so unforgettable. Striking boldly from way outside the penalty area, Birchall levelled the scores decisively just 5 minutes later.

We all tuned in to see the second leg in Bahrain four days later. It seemed so incredible that T&T could finally make it through to the World Cup finals. Still, I kept repeating to myself that all we needed was one – just one goal. When Birchall was stretchered off early after a dirty foul, it was far from encouraging. A shut out would not do. That’s why when Dennis Lawrence’s header found the target, EVERYONE jumped to their feet and screamed in celebration. It was pandemonium in that moment and a nervy hell to watch the remainder of the game.

What style of football does the national team play?

Flair. There’s no better way to describe it. Much in the same way that the West Indies team brings a certain flair to cricket, the Soca Warriors add flavour to the sport of football. It is energetic and purpose-driven football. Perhaps the team is not as traditionally organized as some of its contemporaries, but these are eleven men who put their hearts out on the pitch. That’s all I can ask for.

What do you think your country’s prospects are?

I’m an optimist, so I think Trinidad and Tobago can challenge Paraguay and Sweden and possibly sneak a win against one of them. I’m a realist, so I don’t think this team can beat England. It’s a brave man to say that the Warriors will advance past the group stage. I won’t venture that far, but if this team proved anything in the qualification journey, it’s that nothing is impossible.

Who will be the most important player for your country?

There are so many crucial pieces to the puzzle for Trinidad and Tobago, but Dwight Yorke is the glue that brings it all to world class. Since moving to the midfield, Yorke has matured greatly as a leader and commands such respect from his teammates and opponents. With players like Chris Birchall and Carlos Edwards, the midfield is young and raw. Yorke is the man who and will need to continue to control the play. He’s such an inspiration.

Which player in your country’s side would you most like to get rid of?

Stern John. I’ve defended him on occasion, but in reality he is just a poacher. There is no polite way to phrase it. John has scored more goals for this country than any other player, and he continues to score regularly, but surely we have better strikers about. I generally subscribe to the theory that once a player is producing, I don’t care how he does. However, the lack of urgency with which John operates at times is quite distressing, and against the best in the world, it’s unforgivable.

Who are the players to watch from the other countries?

Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Wayne Rooney (England) have huge expectations on their young shoulders, and I’ve always been a supporter of John Terry (England). Ronaldinho, Adriano and Kaka of Brazil are sensational, as is young Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal. Then there is Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo. If they go anywhere, he will likely be the one carrying them there.

What will be your excuse in the event of failure?

No excuse is needed. Trinidad and Tobago is not supposed to be at the World Cup. This team was a spent force halfway through the qualifying campaign. As the cliché dictates, the Soca Warriors are just happy to be there. Having said that, it’s down to business. They deserve to be in Germany and they aren’t going to simply make up numbers.

Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy have served the country magnificently over their careers, and they deserve this opportunity. That alone eliminates the need for excuses. It can’t be a failure.

Have you got the right manager?

Coach Beenhakker brought us back from five and a half feet under. We were done. Finished. Now we’re going to Germany. Leo Beenhakker? Finest manager on the planet.

What advice would you give him?

I have no advice. He’s done a fantastic job already and I’m not worthy of advising him. Most admirable was his decision to pick a provisional squad of the players who got us to the tournament, rather than the many foreign-based professionals who have suddenly decided to acknowledge their Trinidadian heritage.

Which team do you most want to beat?

Undoubtedly England. There are so many professionals based in England on this Trinidad and Tobago roster. Dwight Yorke made his name in England, and the likes of Chris Birchall, Carlos Edwards, Shaka Hislop, and several others currently play there. If the team even scores against England the celebrations will be epic. If it’s a draw – Carnival! If the boys win it… well… I don’t think the country will get any work done for the rest of the year.

Which opposition player will get the most stick?

Probably Beckham. There are those who still subscribe to the bizarre Beckham is God theory, but I have come to the realization that there’s more quality in his endorsement career than his midfield play. Hopefully others will see the light by the time the tournament comes around.

Where will you watch the matches?

Plans aren’t finalized yet, but the hope is to gather at the largest private screen I can find with everyone I’m vaguely friendly with. Alcohol will be in abundance, but I won’t be drinking. I prefer to enjoy my sports in sobriety. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about the celebration when the Warriors score.

How keenly will the World Cup be followed in your country?

Well, the nation took a day off work to watch the second leg of the playoff against Bahrain. In celebration, the Prime Minister then gave us a public holiday the following day. The streets were practically paved with red, white and black and it was an early Carnival season. People even danced on police cars with no worries from the authorities.

I think that’s a fair indication of the fanaticism with which T&T’s participation in the tournament will be followed. Should the Warriors not make the second round, the enthusiasm will remain, though the dancing may not.

Who will be the player of the tournament?

I’d like to give this one to a defender, because most probably wouldn’t even consider the back line for an award like this. However, let’s go with Cristiano Ronaldo. His attitude and showboating aside, I’m a huge fan. For all his egotistical antics, I still don’t think he realizes just how talented he is. He failed on the big stage of Euro 2004, but he’s a better player now and gets a chance on the biggest stage of them all. Hopefully he will harness that natural ability, and if he does, there aren’t many who can stop him.

Who will win the Golden Boot?

He’s not a striker, but surely Ronaldinho is in with a good chance. Such a dynamic player who proves invaluable to a Brazilian team already full of superstars. I can see him making a big mark in Germany. Aside from him I’m looking at Wayne Rooney. As unpatriotic as it sounds, I tip him to score twice against T&T.

Which team will disappoint the most?

Germany hasn’t had the greatest buildup to the tournament thus far, but I think the voice of home support and the pressure to perform will actually carry them rather than usher defeat. Spain comes to mind, but then I think of their group and don’t foresee many difficulties. Argentina is my call, because I hope and believe that the Ivory Coast can beat them.

Who will be the surprise team of the tournament?

Well obviously I’m hoping it’s Trinidad and Tobago, but I’m also remaining realistic. Despite that assertion, I’m backing Togo on this one. They beat out Senegal to get this far, and in my mind that’s worth celebration. Now they find themselves in a group under the shadow of France, but with a good shot at that second spot.

Finally, Who will win the World Cup?

Well it’s hard to look past Brazil. They don’t really have a great defence in my estimation, but the attacking options are pretty awesome. Practically any line-up they throw out there reads like a dream team, and there are fringe players who would moonwalk into most of the other teams at this year’s tournament. I expect them to win it, but I hope they don’t. I’m always one for the underdog, and in this case, that’s any team but Brazil.

***

I hope you enjoyed part 7. Follow up questions for Liam can be emailed to me at pratyushkhaitan[@]gmail[.]com Also, feel free to contact me if you would like to be interviewed or know a friend who would like/could be interviewed. Specific questions for specific countries which might pop in your mind in due course may also be sent. Coming up next is the interview from Ecuador.

For the rest of the interviews, check out the World Cup interview series page.

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