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England wins the 2018 Diaspora World Cup defeating Trinidad & Tobago in Hyattsville, Maryland.

England wins the 2018 Diaspora World Cup defeating Trinidad & Tobago in Hyattsville, Maryland.

The Diaspora of England
Sun 01 Nov 2020 00:00 GMT

England wins the 2018 Diaspora World Cup defeating Trinidad & Tobago in Hyattsville, Maryland.

England wins the 2018 Diaspora World Cup defeating Trinidad & Tobago in Hyattsville, Maryland. 

 

At the Diaspora World Cup where things can change so quickly, perhaps it is reassuring that there is one constant which remains: England.  The Diaspora of England won the 2018 Diaspora World cup after a tense 3-2 victory over Trinidad & Tobago.  The team which had ripped Liberia's dreams to shreds in the semifinals did it twice in a row.  Lazy stereotypes often abound when describing the Diaspora of England and using this word to describe this side would not only do it a disservice, but it would also ignore the wonderful talent which passes through each player. 

 

By half-time, the Diaspora of Trinidad was three goals behind, and the prospects were not looking good.  However, it was once again Trinidad attacking midfielder Kunle Banjo causing problems and running clear of the England defense although he was heavily marked the entire game.   His strong showing and performance pulled a goal back after 25 minutes into the second half for his side, and then another in the 80th minute to make it 3-2.  The score remained and England was able to celebrate their second World Cup victory in five seasons.  

England wins the 2018 Diaspora World Cup defeating Trinidad & Tobago in Hyattsville, Maryland.

This edition of the Diaspora World Cup started badly England.   The players of coach Dave Atkinson lost to Namibia in a shocking upset in the first match of the group stage. But victories over Jamaica and Sierra Leone propelled the team out of the group stage to the knockout round.   They beat the Diaspora of France, the Netherlands, Cameroon, and then Liberia to reach the final against Trinidad & Tobago. 

 

The 2018 final pitted England, led by the veteran captain and striker Connor Coward, against Trinidad & Tobago and their youngster star, Kunle Banjo.  The host stadium in Hyattsville, Maryland was packed with England fans hoping to witness a career-capping victory for their captain.  Fans expecting a goal-scoring duel between Coward and Banjo were not disappointed as both scored two goals each.

 

Connor Coward contributed two goals to put England up 3-0 by half-time.  Meanwhile, Kunle Banjo remained relatively quiet until the 70th minute, when he scored his first goal for Trinidad & Tobago on a penalty.  Less than ten minutes later, he scored another goal in open play.  However, it would not be enough to make a difference.

England wins the 2018 Diaspora World Cup defeating Trinidad & Tobago in Hyattsville, Maryland. 

This game has been a long night, and if this was a battle of the generations between England captain and striker Connor Coward and Kunle Banjo of Trinidad, as it had been billed, the elder man won it. In truth, though, while the focus was on the England captain and the Trinidadian teenager, cameras following them even after the game.    It hadn’t been long before Kunle Banjo had been taken down by the kind of tackle that said something about his threat, although with the teenager drawing them in on the right, another danger was also coming from the left.  There, a superb long diagonal from Justin Fox allowed his winger to control brilliantly, dash into the area and pull back for Omar Mulato to side foot just wide.

 

It may not be so absurd to imagine that this Trinidad could match that, although there are lessons to be learnt at the back. Just as it may not be so absurd to suggest that the youngster in their team is not going to be the best, he already is. If this was an audition for the best player of the Diaspora World Cup, the award is Kunle Banjo as many said.  
Fabio Cannavaro pictured outside the Paradiso training centre in Naples

England wins the 2018 Diaspora World Cup defeating Trinidad & Tobago in Hyattsville, Maryland. 

A disjointed England trailed 2-0 against Cameroon in in the quarterfinals before a desperate comeback resulted in a chaotic penalty shootout victory. They seemed almost as likely to be knocked out by Liberia when 1-0 down in the sixth minute of stoppage time. An agonizingly late equalizer by Connor Coward forced extra time and a last-minute Mike Whitaker winner took them into the final where further adversity awaited.

 

England had been presented as the best teams at the season looking in the mirror. Those in Red and White for England turned towards the center circle, the sight of gleaming Diaspora World Cup trophy was there for all to see. A campaign which began with a slow start ended with victory over Trinidad, which so many had tipped for victory after all. Perhaps Trinidad should have known. Never bet against England.

England wins the 2018 Diaspora World Cup defeating Trinidad & Tobago in Hyattsville, Maryland.

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