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07
Thu, Nov

Sheldon Bateau vs Guatemala
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“Sometimes we go all out and we put everything into our efforts on the field not considering the risks involved with injuries and jeopardising our personal health.”

Those were the words from national senior defender Sheldon Bateau as he spoke about the recent injury to team captain Kenwyne Jones which was sustained in the recent friendly with Nicaragua. Jones has since been sidelined for two weeks but has began running again this week at Cardiff City club.

Bateau said it was now customary for the “Soca Warriors” to be all in when it comes to playing for the country and going above and beyond the call of duty when they take the field of play.

“Most people might question why Kenwyne went into that tackle and may say he should have been smarter about it. That’s where our passion and dedication comes in because sometimes we make decisions or go into tackles that could end up jeopardising our individual health,” Bateau said.

“Injury is not something that is on a player’s mind because you want to give 100 percent and more especially if we are representing our country. We are not making excuses or trying to get pity because it’s what we signed up for as footballers. 

“I’d like to say that we are fully committed to the cause and whatever it takes from us as players to get right results going forward in this World Cup qualifying bid.

“I think every player puts on the national shirt with pride every single time and it’s sweat, tears and bleeding red,white and black,” said the Russian-based professional.

Bateau will join his teammates next week for a training camp leading up to the November 13 World Cup qualifier away to Guatemala before returning home to face the United States on November 17 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain.