England v Trinidad and Tobago - Match Report

England vow to turn on the style as Trinidad eye upset

David Beckham has pledged England will turn on the style as they attempt to secure their passage to the World Cup second round with victory over Trinidad & Tobago here Thursday.

England soccer captain David Beckham (L) and Frank Lampard share a joke as they model the new England away clothing strip in Manchester, in England, 27 February 2006. The team will wear this strip during the forthcoming World Cup in Germany in the the summer. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS

"The fans are aware of how we can play and the potential we have in our team," the England captain said after a dull 1-0 win over Paraguay.

"We want to prove to people that we can play at this level and we can perform like the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Holland or Italy.

A win over the 'Soca Warriors' would be enough to see England into the last 16 and leave them favourites to qualify as winners of Group B.

"We're not under-estimating them but we have got a stronger team than them.

"But this is football and the World Cup and we've seen already that teams that aren't as big as other teams can still play well and do well."

Trinidad and Tobago's defender Brent Sancho is congratulated by supporters during the 2006 World Cup group B football game Trinidad and Tobago vs. Sweden, 10 June 2006 at Dortmund stadium. AFP PHOTO / SVEN NACKSTRAND

Trinidad and Tobago pulled off the first shock of the tournament in their opening match, holding Sweden to a 0-0 draw despite being reduced to 10 men.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had been reported to be considering introducing Wayne Rooney from the substitutes bench against Trinidad but it is now unlikely the Manchester United player will feature.

Figures in the England camp are worried Rooney could injure himself again in his determination to prove his match fitness .

Either way, Eriksson is expected to continue with the 4-4-2 line-up that started against Paraguay, meaning that Michael Owen will get another chance to play himself into form alongside Peter Crouch.

Two and two can make 5 says Beenhakker

Dutch head coach of Trinidad and Tobago's team Leo Beenhakker is pictured during the 2006 World Cup group B football game Trinidad and Tobago vs. Sweden, 10 June 2006 at Dortmund stadium. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ

Trinidad meanwhile will go into the match looking to write another chapter in what is rapidly emerging as the fairytale story of the finals.

Coventry striker Stern John said T&T, the smallest nation ever to participate in the World Cup, had already proved they were worthy of their place in the finals.

"We know the England game will be very tough," John said. "You are only as good as your last game but we ground out a result against Sweden and hopefully we can build on it."

"People who have been watching all over the world will be talking about this and Trinidad and Tobago players for years to come."

Trinidad's Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker -- who must be the only coach in the World Cup who bicycles to training -- has been in relaxed mood this week, allowing fans into practice sessions for team autographs.

The 63-year-old former Holland and Real Madrid coach says Trinidad showed against Sweden that his players would not be intimidated by facing England's superstar line-up.

"The Swedes played with strikers from Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona. We had lads from Jabloteh, Gillingham and Wrexham," he said.

"We're not talking mathematics here," said Beenhakker. "Normally two and two make four - but in football they often make three or five."

Teams

England

Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham (capt), Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch. Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson

Trinidad & Tobago

Shaka Hislop, Cyd Gray, Dennis Lawrence, Brent Sancho, Densill Theobald, Carlos Edwards, Chris Birchall, Aurtis Whitley, Dwight Yorke (capt), Stern John, Kenwyne Jones. Coach: Leo Beenhakker

Referee

Toru Kamikawa (JPN)