Lawrence eyes England challenge
By Ian Beddow, BBC Sport

13/12/05

Dennis LawrenceDENNIS LAWRENCe is delighted that his Trinidad & Tobago side face England in the World Cup next summer in Germany - but admits he would have liked Brazil.

The Wrexham defender's play-off goal against Bahrain booked T&T's first ever appearance in a World Cup finals.

Their reward in Friday's draw was to be pitted against England, Paraguay and first-up opponents Sweden in Group B.

"I've always been a big fan of Brazil so would have loved them, but you can't ask for better than England," he said.

While Lawrence, 31, will have to be content with Paraguay to provide the Latin opposition, his home-club Welsh fans at Wrexham are backing an upset against old enemies England.

"The Wrexham fans have been telling me for the past month that we'll probably draw England - they'll be delighted!" the 6ft 5in defender, nicknamed 'Tall Man' by team-mates, added.

"Everyone's been talking about England since the draw, but you can't forget there are two massive teams in Sweden and Paraguay in there as well.

"I spoke with some of my team-mates last night, we're really excited.

"If you play in a World Cup you know you've got to go up against the best and England are certainly one of them."

The majority of Trinidad & Tobago's players are based in Britain, although mainly in the lower leagues, and Lawrence does not believe they will be overawed by facing England.

Northern Ireland showed during the qualifying stages that England's Premiership stars can be beaten by the smaller nations.

Lawrence, Coventry striker Stern John - currently on loan at Derby, West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, Port Vale midfielder Chris Birchall and Marvin Andrews at Glasgow Rangers are just a few of 11 UK-based players.

Leading their attack is former Manchester United, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Birmingham striker Dwight Yorke, now plying his trade in Australia - who have also qualified for Germany - with Sydney FC.

"Obviously we have to accept we are the underdogs, but it's up to us to do the country proud and that's what we'll do. We want to prove people wrong," Lawrence said.

"We will try our best and hopefully cause some problems."

Trinidad & Tobago begin their campaign on 10 June against the Swedes in Dortmund, before that showdown with England five days later in Nuremberg.

Lawrence and his team-mates will then play their final Group B match against Paraguay on 20 June in Kaiserslautern.