Trinidad & Tobago: Hislop,Gray, A.John, Sancho, Lawrence, Edwards, Theobald(Whitley 66), Yorke, Birchall, Samuel(Glen 52), S.John

Sweden: Shabaan, Edman, Alexandersson, Lucic, Mellberg, Wilhelmsson(Jonson 78), Linderoth(Kallstrom 78),Svensson(Allback 61), Ljungberg, Larsson, Ibrahimovic

Match Report: A colourful party atmosphere greeted both teams in Dortmund, but only one team would be partying at the final whistle. The World Cup minnows held on in a thrilling contest to take a well deserved draw and their first ever World Cup finals point.

The match started very much as most expected, with Sweden straight on the offensive, winning two corners inside the opening minute. This seemed to briefly unnerve the T & T side who looked slightly uncomfortable in the opening 10 minutes.

A couple of thundering challenges from their centre half Brent Sancho seemed to galvanise their spirit and they began to compete on a more equal level. Ibrahimocvic and Wilhelmsson both looked very lively early on for Sweden with some neat interplay, but things just seemed to fizzle out when the got near the box.

On 14 minutes, a nasty challenge from T & T left back Avery John earned him a well deserved yellow card. The resulting free kick almost gave a chance, but was well cleaned up by Hislop in the T & T goal. You got the sense he may be in for a busy evening.

Ibrahimovic was again involved when he cut in from the right to deliver a great cross behind the defence towards the darting run of Larsson, who couldn't quite get a toe on it. Most of Trinidad's attacking efforts at this time were aimed at Stern John who did try hard to hold up the ball and bring others into play, but was outnumbered 3-1 almost all the time.

With half an hour gone, T & T were now pretty relaxed, although the Swedish pressure continued. Edwards and Yorke tried to provide an out ball from defence at regular intervals. Edwards had a good effort on target after 32 minutes which was dealt with by Shabaan in the Sweden goal, but it would remain Hislop who was the busier 'keeper.

A good 1-2 between Ibrahimovic & Larsson was thwarted by a last ditch tackle by Avery John, Larsson headed over when he should have hit the target and Hislop made two fine saves just before half time.

The first was from a good Wilhelmsson shot which he tipped over the bar, and the second from a neat turn & volley from Ibrahimovic. Good positioning by the keeper on both occasions. You got the sense that there would be more of the same to come in the second half.

Half Time: Sweden 0 Trinidad & Tobago 0

The first action in the second half resulted in Avery John's dismissal after a second truly awful challenge. He can have no complaints for his sending off, which was a shame as he had played quite well towards the end of the first half.

As often happens in these situations, the team reduced to 10 men summons that extara effort needed to compensate, and several men around the T & T team began to stand up to be counted. Edwards pulled off a remarkable saving tackle on Ljungberg when it seemed he must get throug on goal and then Hislop pulled off a superb stop to deny Ibrahimovic from a nice chest trap, turn and volley.

Beenhakker made a tactical change, introducing the lively Glen who gave an outlet up front to give the back four some respite. Glen almost scored an improbable goal when he took on a shot from outside the box at an acute angle and hit the bar with Shabaan looking beaten.

Jonson & Kallstrom were introduced for Sweden, and both looked lively. Ljungberg played a one two through the middle, but again Hislop was expertly positioned to take the shot. Jonsson hit a fierce cross shot that evaded everyone, and Ljungberg almost got in again only to be denied by another fine Edwards tackle.

Hislop again came to the rescue with a point blank save after a really good Sweden move through the middle which put Allback in on goal. There really did not seem to be a way past the veteran custodian. Ibrahimovic had one more late chance when slid in by Kallstrom, but his shot on the turn soared over.

At the final whistle the T & T support went crazy & who can blame them? My particular favourite was the guy who was parading up and down in front of the sulking Swedes with his T & T flag held aloft - Class.

Full Time: Sweden 0 Trinidad & Tobago 0

Trinidad & Tobago Ratings: Hislop 9, Gray 6, A.John 5, Sancho 8, Lawrence 7, Edwards 9, Theobald 6, Yorke 6, Birchall 7, Samuel 4, S.John 6
Subs: Whitley 6, Glen 8

Sweden Ratings: Shabaan 6, Edman 6, Alexandersson 6, Lucic 6, Mellberg 6, Wilhelmsson 8, Linderoth 5, Svensson 5, Ljungberg 7, Larsson 6, Ibrahimovic 7
Subs: Allback 6, Jonson 7, Kallstrom 7

Referee: S.Maidin (Singapore) 8, Good performance - the right decision to give the first sending off in the tournament, and generally an allround good display.

Good: Hislop rolling back the years, Edwards' commitment and running and Ibrahimovic's little cameos of skill. Several players from our lower league teams making a name for themselves on the World stage.
Sancho(Gillingham), Edwards(Luton Town), Lawrence(Wrexham) and Birchall (Port Vale) - Well done boys.

Bad: I'll think of something later.

Ugly: Avery John's two rediculous challenges. He could have been sent off for either one. Nasty.