Sunday, May 27 2007

THE YOUNGEST member of the current Soca Warriors team is 20-year-old Keon Daniel who is seeing the chance to go to the Gold Cup as a major stepping-stone.

Trinidad and Tobago open their campaign in the four-nation Digicel Shield tomorrow against 2007 Caribbean Champions Haiti at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Fresh in his mind is his experience at the “Theatre of Dreams” while training with Manchester United at Old Trafford two years ago.

And he relishes the opportunity to wear the Soca Warriors national shirt which he has been anxiously awaiting for so long.

“As a young player coming up I always wanted to make the team. I am so glad for this call up. I have been encouraged to work harder and that’s exactly what I’m doing. This is a different level,” Daniel said.

“The experience at Man U was great one because it took me out into the world of football. Bertille St Clair made the arrangements and I had two weeks working in the Academy and I was able experience the works.

“Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were at the club from that time as well. That exposure showed me how fast the game is and it taught me what is needed to really make it on the big stage.

“I think I have worked on my aggression since then and hopefully I can get a chance to show some of it on a stage with the national team,” added the former TT Under-20 and current Petrotrin player.

He will continue training with the team this weekend leading up to tomorrow’s match with the Haitians.