CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh’s Kerry Baptiste was delighted on hearing he was called up by National Football Coach Leo Beenhakker for the 5-day training camp in Miami, ahead of this country’s friendly international against Iceland on February 28th.
The Jabloteh midfielder told ttproleague.com, “I feel really great that the coach has given me an opportunity to show what I have to offer, I have been working extremely hard, as a matter of fact I have not stopped training since last season, I have continued training throughout the Christmas Holidays—I have kept myself fit and this is a good reward.”
“I do recognize this is a huge opportunity before me and I am going to work hard and try by best to impress the coaches,” added Baptiste.
Kerry Baptiste made his senior national debut back in 2002 against Finland and has 14 national caps, having last played for Trinidad and Tobago at the 2005 Digicel Caribbean Cup in March, 2005 under Coach Bertille St. Clair.
Baptiste has been one of the mainstay’s of San Juan Jabloteh’s midfield over the last few seasons in the T&T Pro League and has yet to establish himself on the international level.
Nevertheless, the local midfielder is well aware of the tough task ahead of him—if he is to be part of the team that goes to Germany for the World Cup Finals.
The 24 year old player, admitted its not going to be easy for him to be among the final 23 players that will go to Germany for the World Cup Finals—as the competition for places will be stiff, but he thanked coach Beenhakker for giving him another look and an opportunity to prove his worth.
“I know its not going to be easy for me to force my way into the final squad that goes to Germany—its going to be very tough, because everybody is working hard to impress the coach in order to be among the final cut that goes to the World Cup,” said Baptiste.
Kerry baptiste along with the other nine players selected will leave for Miami on February 1st for the five-day camp, after which coach Beenhakker will begin finalizing a squad for the friendly international against Iceland.