Trinidad and Tobago's Christopher Birchall (left) runs toward the ball as Bahraini Sayed Adnan looks on during their playoff qualifying soccer match for a place in the World Cup 2006, in Port of Spain, on Saturday. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. - REUTERS
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC
TRINIDAD & Tobago captain Dwight Yorke believes the Soca Warriors still have a chance to reach the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany, despite a 1-1 draw at home to Bahrain the first leg of their qualifying play-off.
Yorke and his teammates were disappointed but kept their heads held high and were warmly received by their fans after the game as many supporters lined the streets of the city on the team's journey back to their hotel.
"I want to say that this tie is far from over," the Sydney FC striker said in a post-match news conference.
"There's still the next game to play. We know that the fans and, indeed, the whole nation will be disappointed with the result, and maybe the performance.
"But we know what needs to be done now, and that is going to Bahrain and winning and putting the tie away."
BIRCHALL SAVES THE DAY
T&T salvaged a draw when 21-year-old Christopher Birchall connected with a long-range shot in the 77th minute, after substitute Husein Salman put Bahrain ahead in the 72nd minute.
"I am very happy about the character my team showed after we went behind because before I think there were times when we would just fold up," he said.
"But we responded well, and while I have been fortunate to see a lot of really good goals in my career, Chris Birchall's strike was a very good one, and he deserves full credit for it."
Yorke indicated he was looking forward to his side showing the same attitude in the return leg in Manama on Wednesday.
"Now we must go there and put our heads together again and do what is necessary to realise this dream of ours," he said.
"We have to still fancy our chances, and there's no reason to think that we are not capable of still doing it."
T&T and Bahrain are both looking to reach a FIFA World Cup Finals for the first time, while the Soca Warriors aim to become the second English-speaking Caribbean nation to do so.
