PORT-OF-SPAIN (CMC)

Former Trinidadian football star Shaka Hislop says unless the Soca Warriors can at least grab a share of the points in their next two matches, their FIFA World Cup dreams could be over.

T&T are currently bottom of the CONCACAF standings on two points without a win in three outings and in danger of missing out on a return trip to the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Hislop, a member of the side that became the second English-speaking Caribbean team to reach the World cup finals in 2006, said it was imperative that new coach Russell Latapy stabilise the side and at least get some points from the next two qualifiers.

initial challenges

"Russell's initial challenges are simple to steady a rocky ship and to get at least two points from the games against Costa Rica at home and Mexico away," the former Reading, Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth goalkeeper said.

"Not to give Russell a 'get out of jail free' card, but if we don't do that, South Africa 2010 dreams are all but over, and Russell shouldn't shoulder the blame for that. Russell's mandate has to be a more long-term one. He has to be given till 2014 at least."

Trinidad & Tobago created history when they reached the World Cup finals in Germany three years ago, following a dramatic play-off win over Bahrain.

However, their hopes of a repeat were dealt a severe blow when they suffered draws in their opening matches to El Salvador and Honduras before being thrashed by the United States earlier this month.