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“Mr Stephen Hart (coach of the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team) is the most inspiring coach at this stage in my life because he advises me on my game,” Kadeem Corbin said. “And I will like to play for the National Senior team.”
Kadeem Corbin is a 19 year old slim, tall young man; his shy demeanor was obvious when Wired868 chatted with him. Corbin started playing football at the age of six with Harvard Sports Club and then at nine he joined SKHY FC.
The St Ann’s Rangers forward, who lives with his aunt Michelle Corbin, starts his day with training from 7 am and retreats to his home at 1 pm to recuperate. His highest achievements so far were the ‘Most Goals Scored’ and MVP in the 2014 Under 20 Caribbean Cup, which was played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Corbin’s long term goal is to join his friend and Trinidad and Tobago international, Joevin Jones, at United States MLS team, Chicago Fire, where he was recently nominated for the MLS AT&T Goal for the Week accolade.
Corbin’s love for football does not end when he comes off the field as he also tries to motivate the younger players in his neighborhood. He sat down with Wired868 to tell us more about his football goals:
Date of Birth:
4th March 1996
Where is your hometown :
I grew up in Simeon Road, Petit Valley.
What school did you attend:
St. Anthony’s College
What is something most people do not know about you:
That I am not as miserable as they think. I could be miserable sometimes though but not all the time.
He was booked for the gesture by Bahamian official Randolph Harris.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time:
Relaxing and listening to (dancehall singer) Alkaline’s music.
What pushes you to succeed:
I always try to pass the amount of goals scored in the last season.
How did you start playing football:
I started playing football at six years old with Havards Sports Club and then at nine years old I played with SKY FC in Queen’s Park Savannah.
Who is your most important coach and why ?:
Mr Stephen Hart (coach of the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team) is the most inspiring coach at this stage in my life because he advises me on my game and I will like to play for the National Senior team.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Who is your favorite player locally:
Locally I admire Ataulla Guerra (a Central FC midfielder) because of his talent and his international experience.
What is your favorite team:
Barcelona because Messi adds a lot of value to the team, he is very talented.
What is your ambition in the game:
My ambition in the game this season is to score more goals than I did last season. Last season I scored 1 goal, I have
scored 2 for this season so far, so I am hoping for the best and aiming for 5 goals for this season.
How far do you hope to go:
My hope is to be selected and play in the MLS for Chicago Fire because my friend, Joevin Jones, plays with them.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
What was the best moment in football so far:
Getting the title for ‘Most Goals Scored’ in the 2014 Under 20 Caribbean Cup. I scored five goals.
What stood out for you during your trials in Holland last year:
It was a challenge as the players are much taller and bigger in size than Trinidadians. And the memory of actually being on trial in Holland in front of a packed stadium.
What is one lesson you learned from the experience:
That I need to overcome my shyness as not much people will know about me, if I don’t reach out and interact with others.
Are you seen as a football star in your community:
Yes I am seen like that here and when I visit my grandmother in Petit Valley.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
What is your target for the next season:
To do better than I did this season.
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He should go and play with k.molino
Lasana Liburd Jason Kreis is head coach of NYC FC in MLS.
I remember Eddie Pope for sure. Hannibal Najjar, Brent can back it up.
The only Trinis I see that NCAA all American first team are Alvin Henderson, Richard Chinapoo, Brent Bennett and Julius James!
I’ll have to get the official info Lasana Liburd but 2 popular names on that team in 1994 were Eddie Pope and Jason Kreis…
Brent bennett was all american at JMU he and ivan sampson put jmu on yhe map they were top 10 every year when he was there 1 of the best ever together with sampson at jmu
Who was all American that year Brent? Can you send me a link?
I believe Darin Lewis was final four MVP once for UConn. It will be nice to have a list of the trinis who reached the top level in ncaa.
Hey Lasana Liburd coach Najjar may remember me as a 15 year old at best. He doesn’t realize and I never do this that i am in very exclusive group of trinis. I think it’s less than 5-10 of us that ever achieved NCAA All America Division 1 1st Team status….
Don’t take that lying down Brent. Lol
I don’t want to hijack Kadeem’s thread so we’ll talk on a sidebar Hannibal Najjar…..
He was almost unplayable in the CFU U-20 Championship.
totally love this young player…but very very concerned for him…with some of the stories im hearing…but..i will just go talk to the young man myself..and find out the real story.
Mr. Bennett, Sheldon was one of the most natural talents that I have ever coached. He was a joy to watch – elegant on the fly, sensible and intuitive and very few can better his game IQ. He had different plans after College and I am fine with that. He has always been a focused individual and chose a family and work path when I wished he had played more. That attitude and mentality lent itself to every smart and calculated play that he made while on the field… which was all his plays – I don’t remember ever ever questioning his decisions aor play. Again, you were also a Bennett-type player but not the Better, talent… small smile please!
Brent Bennett, you will have to add Sheldon Bennett to the group in a pane in the top right section so he can see the tag. 😉
And, yeah, I get interns once a year and try to have them highlight local players! 🙂
Hahahaha…Well it all depends on who you ask. As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. At 16 maybe but at 20, I don’t know. Most people never saw me in college or know of my accomplishments in the US. Nonetheless, point well taken. Yes, Sheldon Bennett and I live in Atlanta.
You were a very good player yourself but, NOT like your brother! Nice knowing you are around – US?
Yes sir Hannibal Najjar
Brent Bennett – Shelly’s brother???
Lasana Liburd… yuh real big…. yuh have interns now lol
Having said that Hannibal Najjar, I think he might have been in squad for Panama friendly but for injury.
Kadeem is exceptional talent, in working with Kadeem at Club level the area this young man needs to work on is discipline, once this is improved he will be a force to reckon with.
Stephen Hart was an advisor for the last National Under-20 Team. He hasn’t played for the senior Soca Warriors yet. Hart hinted that he was under consideration at one point. But his form for St Ann’s Rangers has been lukewarm to me.
Good skillful player though.
Has he played for Hart or is wanting to play?