England Struggle to 2-0 Win Against Trinidad and Tobago
June 15, 2006
In 50 years, when the 2006 World Cup's group matches are nothing more than single lines in soccer almanacs, no one will be surprised reading the 2-0 result for England. But none of the England's future opponents, either Germany or Ecuador to start with, will forget how much effort the win took.
The victory guaranteed England a top-two finish in Group B but was a cruel ending for Trinidad and Tobago, who looked to be heading for a draw after keeping their superstar opponents at bay with a gutsy performance.
After a scoreless first half England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson substituted in striker star Wayne Rooney, who made his World Cup debut after receiving clean bill of health earlier in Thursday after nursing a broken foot.
But even Rooney's presence looked as if it wasn't going to stop Trinidad's "Soca Warriors" from earning their second World Cup point following their shock 0-0 draw against Sweden last Saturday.
The smallest nation ever to take part in a World Cup, Trinidad and Tobago's squad is made up of professionals who play mostly in the lower reaches of British soccer.
On a handful of occasions, speared on by captain Dwight Yorke, Trinidad & Tobago left their own end and posed a danger to the English defense.
Trinidad & Tobago's best chance came on the stroke of half-time when England needed a goal-line clearance from John Terry to rescue them after Stern John had tried to bundle in a looping effort from Carlos Edwards.
England captain David Beckham was responsible for the work behind turning England around. The free kick expert spent much of the match sending balls straight into defenders, but connected well in the 83rd minute with a well-aimed ball to 6ft 7in (2.04 meters) Peter Couch, who headed the ball home.
Steven Gerrard made up for missing alone in front of the goal, in stoppage time. He lost his defender at the top of the penalty arc and rifled a left-footed shot past diving Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.