Former Trinidad and Tobago defender Anthony Noreiga is now on the comeback trail after a serious head injury sustained in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. Noreiga, a member of Joe Public football club, played his first competitive game in the bmobile National Super League against Angostura 1976 FC Phoenix on Sunday last.
He also played the full 90 minutes as Joe Public edged Club Sando 2-1 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya on Wednesday. Following the game, the lanky 26-year-old commented, “It feels normal and it’s glad to be playing again, helping my teammates to win and to better themselves. So far it’s been going good for me.” On June 9 2007, Noreiga suffered a brain contusion/bruise in the front part of his head, when he was rushed to hospital following a collision with his goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams and American striker Brian Ching.
He does not see any danger in dealing with aerial balls, such as the one which caused his career-threatening injury last year. “I don’t believe in fear so I never had a fear to do that,” he said. “I always want to do it again and I’m doing it again. So I’m happy.” When asked if his goals including helping Joe Public’s Super League quest and regaining his national spot, he replied, “The two things that you mentioned there, that’s exactly what I’m aiming for, to help my teammates win and to get back on the national team.”
Former Trinidad and Tobago defender Anthony Noreiga is now on the comeback trail after a serious head injury sustained in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States. Noreiga, a member of Joe Public football club, played his first competitive game in the bmobile National Super League against Angostura 1976 FC Phoenix on Sunday last.