TRINIDAD & Tobago were unable to make home advantage count when they were held 1-1 by Bahrain in Saturday's World Cup play-off first leg in Port of Spain.

And Leo Beenhakker's side will have to improve in Wednesday's second leg in the Middle East if they are to achieve their aim of reaching next summer's finals in Germany.

Trinidad, with Wrexham defender Dennis Lawrence in their line-up, were unable to break down a stubborn Bahrain defence until 13 minutes from time when Port Vale midfidelder Chris Birchall - the first white player to represent the Caribbean nation - cancelled out a goal from Bahrain striker Husein Salman five minutes earlier.

Bahrain's Yugoslav coach Luka Peruzovic said: "We surely must be pleased with this result."

Elsewhere, a hat-trick from Liverpool striker Luis Garcia and one from clubmate Fernando Morientes helped Spain to a 5-1 win over Slovakia in Madrid which all but secures their place in Germany next year.

Spain's other goal came from a penalty by Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres, while in-form Middlesbrough man Szilard Nemeth scored the visitors' only goal.

Former Anfield star Vladimir Smicer was the hero as the Czech Republic beat Norway 1-0.

The 32-year-old scored in the 31st minute in a match which marked the return to international arena of Pavel Nedved.

The Juventus star has come out of national team retirement in a bid to help his country reach the finals in Germany, and the Czechs are now in a strong position going into the home leg on Wednesday.

Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos was a hero for Switzerland as they claimed a 2-0 victory over Turkey in Berne.

The 20-year-old centre-back grabbed his side's first goal four minutes before half-time, and substitute Valon Behrami added a second with four minutes of the second period remaining.

The result leaves Turkey, who finished third in the 2002 World Cup, struggling to qualify for next summer's finals.

Uruguay take a slender 1-0 lead into the second leg of their inter-continental play-off against Australia. The only goal for the South Americans was scored by Dario Rodriguez on 35 minutes.