ROTENBURG, Germany - Leo Beenhakker isn't concerned with Trinidad and Tobago's struggles leading up to the World Cup.

The coach hopes the exhibition losses to a young Wales team, Slovenia and the Czech Republic will be a teaching tool for his most of players who have little experience against some of the top Europeans.

"These games were about getting used to the way they play the game in Europe," said Beenhakker, who spent most of his career coaching top clubs such as Ajax and Real Madrid. "The way they play in Europe is different than what the players are used to. It's a much more speedy game and a more physical game. We have to get used to it."

Trinidad and Tobago, the twin-island Caribbean nation of about 1.3 million people, opens its first World Cup on Saturday against Sweden.

Trinidad got most of its points in qualifying against the lower-level teams in the CONCACAF region, with its one win in four games against Mexico and a tie against Costa Rica the only points the team earned against World Cup qualifiers.

Most of the wins came against the likes of Panama, St. Vincent and Grenadines and St. Kitts and Nevis ¡ª a far cry from the talent levels of Group B opponents Sweden, England and Paraguay.

"This is a great learning experience for the players here, who have not had the opportunity to play at such a high level or represent their country, to understand what it takes and what it will be like," captain Dwight Yorke said. "Come Saturday, that is something they all will digest and hopefully be ready for Sweden."

Yorke is one of the few players with experience in the top levels of soccer around the world. He spent much of his career starring for Aston Villa and Manchester United in the English Premier league, helping Manchester to the Champions Cup title in 1999.

Midfielder Russell Latapy played 40 games for Portuguese club Porto, becoming the first player from Trinidad and Tobago to play in the Champions League in 1994; striker Stern John played in the Premier League and goalkeeper Shake Hislop is currently in England's top league with West Ham.

Most of the rest of the players are playing in Scotland, lower English divisions, at home in Trinidad or in MLS.

"These games have been a time for us to experiment and try different things and also get used to playing against the European teams that we don't get to face in the CONCACAF region," Latapy said. "It was important to get experience against European teams. Of course, you want to win games, but at the same time the most important thing is Sweden on June 10."

John, the top scorer in Trinidad's history with 65 goals, said the fans back home just hope for the team "not to get embarrassed" ¡ª a far cry from the expectations in places like England.

"You have to enjoy it a little," John said. "Opportunities like this don't really come every day. It's a great achievement by the whole team and even for the country. So you need to stay focused as much and enjoy it as much as you can."