HAMBURG (Reuters):
TRINIDAD AND Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker dismissed claims that his side were tired ahead of their opening World Cup game after they ground out a 2-1 win against German third division side St. Pauli yesterday.
The World Cup debutants took the lead after 14 minutes through Kenwyne Jones to give the travelling support amongst the 20,000 sell-out crowd something to cheer about.
The drums began to beat even louder when Jason Scotland doubled his side's lead later in the first half.
The German team pulled back a goal through a penalty early in the second half.
Trinidad and Tobago had defender David Charles sent off late in the game to compound an uncomfortable evening.
Trinidad and Tobago, who open their Group B account against Sweden on Saturday, have played five games in the past 13 days.
"I don't think we have played or prepared any different to any other team here," Beenhakker told reporters when asked about his busy schedule.
GIVE PLAYERS A CHANCE
"You have to give players a chance to get as fit as possible and to see them perform as much as possible."
Asked about the red card, Beenhakker said: "I didn't really see any problem, but these things happen."
The Dutchman remained upbeat about his team's performance, especially after Saturday's 3-0 defeat to fellow finalists, the Czech Republic.
"This was a tough game and the type of game we expected and wanted," he said.
"It's good that we got the win after Saturday, especially since most of the players that played will probably not start against Sweden," Beenhakker said.
But for a good display from Trinidad goalkeeper, Clayton Ince, the home side could have given Beenhakker even more to ponder and went close to spoiling the Caribbean-style party.
Several other friendlies were played yesterday.
The United States beat fellow World Cup finalists Angola 1-0 in a warm-up played behind closed doors. The only goal was scored by striker Brian McBride, according to German sports news agency SID.
Iran defeated a regional German side 5-0 in their final World Cup warm-up. After a goalless first half against a team drawn from amateur club sides from regional leagues in the Lake Constance area, Iran dominated the second period.
FAN MIXTURE
Playing in front of more than 5,000 fans and cheered on by a mix of German and Iranian songs, substitute Javad Kazemeyan netted in the 52nd minute. Arash Borhani and midfielder Javad Nekonam also scored before Rassoul Khatibi struck twice.
"I am satisfied with the match and for most parts even with the first half. We just missed a few goals," coach Branko Ivankovic told reporters.
He will announce his team on Saturday for Iran's first Group D match against Mexico on Sunday.
World Cup debutants Ukraine warmed up with a 3-0 friendly victory over Libya in the Swiss town of Gossau.
Volodymir Yezersky headed the first from a 49th-minute corner before Olexiy Belik and Andriy Vorobei added two late goals.
Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko, recuperating from a knee injury he sustained last month, did not play.
The 2004 European Footballer of the Year, who joined English champions Chelsea from AC Milan last week, is expected to be fit for his team's World Cup opener against Spain on June 14. Ukraine's other Group H opponents are Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
It was the second match between Ukraine and Libya, after they drew 1-1 in Tripoli two years ago in Oleg Blokhin's second game as Ukraine coach. Libya had scoring chances but first-choice keeper Oleksander Shovkovsky and back-up Bohdan Shust, who came on after the interval, did well to keep them out.
Ukraine began their World Cup preparations with a 4-0 thrashing of Costa Rica on May 28 before holding Italy to a 0-0 draw in Lausanne last Friday. They face Luxembourg in their final warm-up on Thursday.
