LiveBlog: England-Trinidad and Tobago

England gains its second win of the 2006 World Cup with a lackluster perfomance against a plucky team from Trinidad and Tobago. Read all of the play-by-play below and leave your thoughts on the game.

Final: England 2-0 Trinidad and Tobago

Full time England wins and remains atop the Group B table with six points. It wasn’t the prettiest win but with a pair of goals in the final 10 minutes England fans can only hope that their team’s finishing woes have been solved. Wayne Rooney did come in during the second half but didn’t show much. Trinidad and Tobago once again represented themselves very well.

90+ Stern John knocks it in the goal but it is called offside. Just by an inch. Great little back heel flip but all for naught.

90+ GOALLLLLL!! Steven Gerrard drills home one from the top of the box with his left foot to clinch the victory and a spot in the second round for England.

89:12 Time is running out for a gutsy Trinidad team that went 170+ minutes without giving up a goal in their World Cup debut appearance.

87:48 England fans loudly singing their anthem. They should incorporate the words God Save our Crouch in that tune.

86:34 England’s offense with be criticized again after this one, but their defense should get some praise. They’ve been well organized the past two games.

85:05 For the first time all day the Soca Warriors bring their team forward. They realize they need to get a goal here. Rooney on the other end jumps around but is unable to connect.

83:49 A heartbreaking goal for T&T but not much Sancho could have done with Crouch climbing up and using his height. England might come away with another lackluster win after all.

82:47 GOALLLLL!!! Beckham crosses it and Crouch goes over Sancho’s back to head it in. A small celebration but no robot.

82:03 Lennon wins England a corner. Beckham takes it from the righ side and it is cleared away by Trinidad. They almost connect with Stern John on a long ball but it doesn’t quite happen. Can you believe this game?

80:56 Oh to be at the parties today in Trindad if the Soca Warriors get another result. That country must be electric right now.

80:00 We’re ten minutes away from another T&T 0-0 win.

77:46 Lampard again with a shot and it scoots across the box off target. England starting to come alive with Lennon on the right wing. T&T continues to hang in there.

76:32 Lampard collects a bouncing ball in the area and hits it with his left foot but it is right at Hislop. Nice bit of combination play by Crouch et al.

76:04 Stern Jorn beats Ashley Cole one-on-one but can’t get by the final England defender. Crouch looks like he doesn’t get enough oxygen up there. He looks dizzy like Ronaldo.

73:38 Lennon in the box hits it into Yorke’s arm but it is not called. That could have been a hand ball. Tough call for the ref to make. Downing in for Cole. Weird choice there with Cole playing well.

72:21 Yorke slides it away from Rooney who has his first run of the match. He appears to be moving well but will he be the answer to England’s obvious scoring woes. Remains to be seen.

71:20 Rooney has barely seen the ball to this point. Lennon doing a nice job with his speed. T&T still hesistant to bring on a full attack. This final 20 could be very interesting.

69:30 Cornell Glenn on for Jones as T&T gets some fresh legs up front. I could use some fresh liveblogging fingers. Starting to cramp up here in the heat.

69:14 Starting to have a wild fantasy that Trinidad and Tobago will win the championship without scoring or letting up a goal in seven matches. As long as Crouch continues to suck that might be the case today.

67:05 Joe Cole has had a nice tournament for England. Where are Gerrard and Lampard? They have largely been non factors.

65:58 Much credit to Trinidad’s defense for holding its own in the box. England has been in their end most of the game but thus far no big mistakes by the Soca Warriors. They play with a heart that some other teams in this tournament have lacked.

64:15 Raise your hand if you think this England team looks good enough to win the World Cup. Anyone raising their hand?

63:12 Public service announcement: we’re liveblogging every game so please stop by here again. Your thoughts and comments are as welcome as the crowd shots of England wives.

61:45 England passing it around nicely but the story remains the final third. Lennon brining good speed on the right side. T&T looks very happy to play for the draw.

60:12 Beckham with a free kick from far out that sails wide. Hislop really has not been tested in this one. Both teams have gone 120 minutes without a goal.

58:45 Rooney hasn’t scored in the past minute. Highly overrated, he is. The foot looks good though. Nice to see him play after all this scuttlebutt.

57:01 Wayne Rooney comes in to a big ovation. His girlfriend is shown in the stands. Big ovation to her. Owen is off the pitch after another subpar match. Lennon in for Carragher. Sven bringing in some pace for an England team that has played without any today.

55:23 Cyd Gray with a yellow for T&T. Sven talking to Rooney. The pressure is on his stocky shoulders. Beckham finds Owen who heads it wide. Story of this game. England can’t get it on target.

54:41 Crouch with a bicycle kick that is way off. That was highly entertaining in a car crash type of way. Crouch looked like a windmill. Nice effort but not really.

52:51 Birchall springs Jones free on a run but the finish just isn’t there. T&T playing England even this half. The Soca Warriors have nothing to be ashamed of this World Cup. Can they do the unthinkable and get a scalp today?

50:44 Rooney getting an excellent workout jogging on the sideline. He has come as close to scoring as Owen. For my friends who are asking, Brent Sancho is playing and is still playing well.

49:39 I believe it was Shakespeare who wrote: “My kingdom for a goal.”

47:46 If T&T is this good, can you imagine if they fielded a team for all the West Indies? Kind of like cricket. That would be neat-o. Anyone know when Trinidad and Tobago gained independence?

46:46 Hislop shown a yellow card for stalling. A minute into the second half???? Tough yellow.

46:16 Does not appear to be any changes from either side to start the second half. The same 22 who brought us that crap first half are still on. Let’s hope they all play better this stanza.

45:01 We’re underway in the second half. Will the Soca Warriors shock the world again or will England deliver another result? We’ll probably find that out in the next 45 minutes unless the game is called due to liveblogging heat stroke. I’ve switched over to a lemon beer thing for this half hoping that it will keep me hydrated and also ward off scurvy. I hope you are happy and healthy wherever you are in this world. It is awesome to have you join me for the fun.

Halftime An uninspiring first half. England rolled the ball around a bit but was awful in the final third with shots flying everywhere but on goal. The underdog Soca Warriors hung in there and had a couple of good opportunities. I’m getting another beer and will be back at the start of the second half. Maybe Wayne Rooney will join us then too. Your thoughts on the first half?

44:27 T&T with the corner and it is cleared away. Sent back in by the Soca Warriors and there is a mass scamble. Stern John almost punched it in with three defenders but John Terry clears it. Close, close, close

43:03 England fans chanting “Rooney”. I don’t think they are calling for the principal in Ferris Beuller’s Day Off.

41:52 Beckham manages to do the unthinkable by hitting it on goal but Hislop eats it up. Seconds later Beckham finds Crouch who should have burried it but appeared to be doing the robot on the ground instead. That was an ugly miss.

41:15 Owen finds Lampard in the box and he hits it over the bar again. You would think that this is England taking penalty kicks with the number of shots they are hitting high.

39:01 Leo Beenhakker looks like a mad scientist on the Trinidad bench. The Dutch coaches sure are having a good World Cup so far. Must be the wooden shoes.

37:16 England continues to control the possession but even Sven has to see that it ain’t working near the goal. T&T has to be pleased to make it this far in the game. The more they hang around, the more you never know….God it is so hot I am sweating cliches.

36:03 T&T gets a corner. Yorke knocks it across and Stern John almost hits a diving header. Robinson flailing in goal for England. That was close. Maybe that will wake up the sleepwalking lions.

33:27 Is this a case of Trinidad being solid or England stinking worse than a hot apartment with seven guys living in it in Berlin?

32:10 Another England corner and Gerrard fails to realize the object of the game is to put the ball in the goal and not over it. Shots of England fans nearly snoozing in the stands.

31:24 England corner. Beckham bends it long and it is brought out and passed around before Beckham sends in a weak cross that is caught by boom Shaka laka. That was a lot of typing for a whole little action.

29:01 Rooney and Walcot getting limber on the sideline. Put them both in and wake us up please.

27:27 Yorke wishes he had a mask in his shorts. He won’t be reproducing anytime soon but boy can he sing soprano.

26:56 England attack is the new definition of “existential.” Go ahead look it up in the dictionary. Yorke down holding his manhood in a not so pleasant way.

25:56 Do you think any of the players out there today have a mask hidden in their shorts? That was one of the stangest goal celebrations during the Ecuador match. Guy scores and reaches into his sweaty jock to pull out a mask which he puts on his face. Oddly entertaining.

24:15 Carlos Edwards with a weak shot that sails way high. Speaking of not working, T&T hasn’t exactly shown much of an attack yet. Maybe they think the object of the game is to tie. Worked against Sweden. That was their best win ever.

21:57 I’m ready to say that Crouch and Owen up front isn’t going to work. I don’t think you want to risk Rooney this early in the match but T&T is poised to hang around for a while.

21:04 Anyone hear any good jokes lately? This one is dragging alone at a tortoise pace.

19:47 Whitley joins the yellow card club by taking down Gerrard. Beckham from almost the same spot on the free kick. Crossed for Crouch but it doesn’t work. Still no goals in this one.

17:58 Theobald shown a yellow for holding Owen’s jersey on a run. Beckham lines it up just outside the area. The ref makes sure Lampard and Stern John are friends. The kick is right into the wall. Soca Warriors dodge the bullet again,

16:34 Crouch’s legs might be longer than the island of Tobago.

15:21 With that Crouch lays out his 10 foot long legs but can’t redirect the cross on goal. Best chance yet for the robot man.

15:10 Well this is turning out to be a bore. Fortunately the fridge is stocked with beer and I have all of you around to keep my sweating body company.

13:30 England dominating possession but it is all for nothing to this point. T&T is just hanging in there. Neither team has scored a goal in this game nor in the tournament. Own goals don’t count.

11:57 Beckham with the corner and it is cleared away. Back into the box and Owen collides with a defender. No call, not that close to a goal.

10:10 A shot of Sven on the sideline. He looks completely bored and disinterested. He should give up his seat to a fan or something. Worth noting he is wearing a blazer which is impressive in the heat. Also worth noting that Crouch has long sleeves on. Everything about him is long. Well, not everything…or so I’ve been told…

8:06 England players coming in waves at the box but it is all one-on-six. Soca Warriors are clogging the box. England’s attack seemingly breaking down in the final third.

7:25 Not a very fast pace to this game at this point. England playing at a similiar pace as the Paraguay match. Trinidad having trouble stringing together passes. I’m sweating bullets here. This might end up being the first nude liveblog in history.

5:23 Lampard with the blast that bounces off of Hislop’s chest but Owen can’t do anything with the rebound. Dodgy keeping.

4:45 Hislop with his first touch in the Soca Warriors goal. England passing it around like this is a practice. T&T content to chase for now.

2:56 Ashley Cole needs to wear velcro boots. Every game he loses a shoe. Keep an eye out for that next game against Sweden. The dude has trouble tieing his laces.

2:15 England with the early control. I swear that Peter Crouch’s socks come up to Dwight Yorke’s eyes. Amzing how tall he is. How long will he play before we see Rooney?

0:45 England in its white kits. Trinidad in red. I am not wearing a shirt since it is a sauna here in Berlin.

Kickoff: We are underway in Nuremburg. A Japanese referee crew is working this game with a US ref as the fourth official. England enters the game atop the table with 3 points, while T&T comes in with a point. Both teams fielding essentially the same lineup as last game with a couple of exceptions.

2 minute countdown: Thanks for joining me for this Group B clash. As always, you thoughts, comments and jokes are appreciated. Let’s love one another and enjoy a great match.

4 minute countdown: T&T sings with joy. Their flag reminds me of scuba diving. It appears that Chris Birchall has learned the anthem by now. Kind of a subdued song for a country with such upbeat music.

5 minute countdown: England’s anthem is played. God save the queen indeed. The crowd sings it loud and proud. The players looked very relaxed and ready to rock and roll.

7 minute countdown: The teams are in the tunnel. The two captains Yorke an Beckham share a laugh and Man United memories. England appears to have a big height advantage.

8 minute countdown: I have assumed the liveblogging position and the day’s first Schofferhofer hefeweizen has been poured. Life is good. Sorry to all of you who are at work and not able to indulge in a beverage. I’ll do my best to have a few in your honor.

13 minute countdown: Does not look like Wayne Rooney will start but he is available off the bench. Jamie Carragher getting the start at right back for England with Neville hurt.

15 minute countdown: There does not appear to be a shadow on the pitch in Nuremburg so this might be game that gives our eyes a bit of a break. Shaka Hislop shown warming up in the T&T goal. Another performance like last game and he might be named King of Trinidad and Tobago.

20 minute countdown: The sense I got from many German fans last night in Dortmund during the Germany-Poland match is that they want to play England in the next round. They think they have their number. With Germany and Ecuador already through, their next game is going to be all about positioning for the second round.

30 minute countdown: You have to imagine that Trinidad and Tobago has a whole lot of new fans after their gutsy performance against Sweden. England has brought a lot of fans to Nuremburg so they’ll have the support in the stadium but the Trinis will undoubtedly win the dance competitions. Speacking of which, Crouch isn’t going to robot today. A shame, really.

40 minute countdown: Another hot and humid day here in Berlin. The game is being played in Nuremburg, which hopefully has an adequate water supply for the English players. The only people who get dehydrated quicker are their wives when they are boozing around Germany. Humid weather shouldn’t impact T&T much.

Pregame: I look forward to having you join me on another magical mystery tour liveblog. Go ahead and let the world know now the final score of this game.

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