“Beekhakker told him he was too relaxed in training and not
pushing Kelvin (Jack) for the No.1 shirt.
“Shaka was so confused because he always tries to be relaxed
when in training or playing a competitive match.
“But being the professional he is, Shaka accepted the coach’s
decision in the interest of the team.
“But within 10 minutes of the start of the game against Sweden,
Kelvin (Jack) pulled up with a calf strain.
“Kelvin was Leo’s first choice during the qualifying
campaign and it was no surprise he was named for the opening game.
“But, Shaka got another shock when coach told him he would
be playing.
“Like a true professional, he just stepped up to the plate;
it was a big occasion and although it was entirely unexpected because
Shaka, I think, had already accepted that it was very unlikely,
as third choice, he would be making any contribution to the team
during the World Cup.
“Well, Shaka saved like a man possessed, I tell you. He may
have been named after African royalty but he also saved like royalty.
“Everything Sweden threw at him he was able to counter.
“When the whistle finally blew to end the game, everybody
just rushed over to hug him, even Kelvin embraced him because I
think everybody knew he made the difference between a draw and a
loss.
“He was so worked up when he saw coach, he could not contain
himself and let coach know that he must never, never, ever doubt
his ability.
“All coach could do was shut up and put up his hands in submission.”
When asked to comment on the incident at Piarco International Airport
on Tuesday as he left to return to his wife and four daughters in
London, Hislop would only admit that Beenhakker had relegated him
to third choice before the Sweden game.
“He (Beenhakker) told me I was third choice,” Hislop
admitted.
“I am just a member of the team and you have to accept the
manager’s decisions.
“I would tell you, I was very surprised to play, but I am
grateful he gave me the opportunity.
“Why he put me in ahead of Clayton (Ince), I don’t know.”
Hislop then added: “You can’t make too much of what
I said to the coach. He is a professional and I am a professional
and I think I am entitled to my opinion.
“Whatever was said should remain between both of us, it was
nothing really.
“Coach Beenhakker has my respect and he has the respect of
the players; he was not the sort of coach who sat around and talked
to the players; he did what he had to do on the training ground
and in the dressing room and then he kept his distance.”
After his second brilliant display against England in which Hislop
kept England’s galaxy of big named scorers at bay, including
the likes of Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, his former team-mate
at West Ham, Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Newcastle’s
Michael Owen, the Soca Warriors went down 0-2 with late goals from
the Liverpool pair of Peter Crouch (83rd) and Stephen Gerrard (91st).
In the final preliminary round game against Paraguay, Hislop was
replaced by Jack.
“That was understandable,” Hislop revealed.
“Kelvin was the first choice ‘keeper during the qualifying
campaign and once he was fit I think he deserved to play a World
Cup match.”
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