Former National Under 20 and Under 17 world Cup teams captain Leston Paul is reenergised again for international football after getting the nod for Saturday’s Warm up encounter against Guadeloupe at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet.
Paul has been out of the national team set up since 2009, last making the senior team for an away World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica before going off to University of South Florida. On returning home last year, he joined Guaya United and Central FC. But his call up is an indication that senior team head coach Stephen Hart wants to have a look at the Mayaro-born player and he will be looking to put on a good show against the Caribbean Cup bound opponents.
“I’ve go to admit that it’s a pleasure to be back around the national team setup even though it's not a full senior team game. But I think it's good for me that the coach has me in mind and of course I would want to do my best and hopefully get called up with the full team in the upcoming months,” Paul said.
Paul captained the T&T Under 17 team at the 2007 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in South Korea where he clashed with current Colombian wonderboy James Rodriguez when T&T faced Colombia in the opening round. He also led T&T during the 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Egypt alongside defender Mekeil Williams who was also called up to the T&T team for Saturday’s match which kicks off at 4pm in the sister-isle.