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Mere hours away from “D-day”, the Trinidad and Tobago national under-17 team can decide its fate with another glorious 90 minute effort against Panama as the young “Soca Warriors” close in on a spot at the 2013 United Arab Emirates FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
Once more, St Augustine Secondary and San Juan Jabloteh schoolboy Akeem Garcia is expected to be in the thick of things. His speed and tricks can be eye-catching. But his motivation is simple.
“I have always liked football, since I was small,” Garcia told Wired868.
(Courtesy Victoria Walcott/Wired868)
Still in his early teens, Garcia has already proved that football is more than a hobby with an impressive array of experiences in a variety of school and club tournaments and training camps. But getting to the World Cup might make everything else fade into insignificance.
He sees that the national under-17 team as his second family.
“We are a family; one unit,” said Garcia. “On the field, even if we shout at each other (once we get) off the field, there are no hard feelings.”
(Courtesy Victoria Walcott/Wired868)
His teammates agreed on the close bond between the Warriors. Tonight, host nation, Panama, is expected to throw out a daunting challenge.
Trinidad and Tobago’s close-knit band of brothers will accept it eagerly.
Name: Akeem Garcia
DOB: September 11th, 1996
Age: 17
Position: Striker
Favourite Number: 10
Favourite Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
School: St. Augustine Secondary
Club: San Juan Jabloteh
Hometown: Chaguanas
Something most people don’t know: Garcia was named the MVP and leading goal scorer of the Youth awards for the 2011-2012 season in the under 16 category.
Q & A:
What motivates you?
(Courtesy Victoria Walcott/Wired868)
“I want to be the best, that is what pushes me.”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
“Well I definitely want a scholarship and then I want to play football full-time. Football is what I want to do until I can’t anymore.”
Which player do you admire most and why?
(Cristiano Ronaldo) CR7 is my favourite player. I love the tricks and skills he has and it is something I want to learn myself.
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Victoria Walcott is a journalism student at COSTAATT and an intern at Wired868.
