Wrexham to face England in World Cup

By Mark Currie, Daily Post

10 December 2005

WREXHAM defender Dennis Lawrence last night hit the World Cup jackpot when Trinidad & Tobago were drawn against England in the opening stages of next summer's tournament in Germany.

Lawrence, whose play-off goal against Bahrain last month earned the Caribbean island their first-ever appearance in a major tournament, said he hoped to strike a blow for his adopted country Wales - who were twice beaten by Sven Goran Eriksson's side in the World Cup qualifiers.

Paraguay and Sweden, who will be Trinidad's first opponents when the finals get under way in June, complete the Group B line-up and Lawrence said: "I know I originally said that I hoped to be drawn in a group with Brazil, but in the absence of that I couldn't have asked for anything better.

"I play my football in Wales and I'm sure all Wrexham fans will now be rooting for us to beat England.

"I'm just delighted that Trinidad are going to Germany and if you look at the group we are up . against three really good countries and we always knew it would be difficult, whatever the draw.

"I haven't played against any of our opponents before so it's something to look forward to, but England is the pick of the games and I'm sure that's the one that everyone's eyes will be on.

"It was nerve-wracking watching the draw but it's also very exciting for Trinidad and its people and I hope we will attract plenty of support from all Welsh supporters as we head for Germany next summer."