'Birdie' ready to take flight

Raheem Belgrave, better known as ‘Birdie’ is a young goalkeeper with dreams of representing this country at the very highest level. He is on the right track too, having already represented T&T at the Under-17 and Under-20 levels in his junior years. The former St. Mary’s College standout made his professional debut last week in the First Citizens Cup semi-finals and was almost able to inspire his Jabloteh team to victory in a penalty shootout. 

‘Birdie’ has a battle on his hands to secure the #1 spot for Jabloteh though as Jamaican custodian Shane Mattis has been in good form so far this season and will be anxious to get back between the sticks once he has fully recuperated from his injury.

I was able to catch up with ‘Birdie’ recently and found out a bit more about the promising goalkeeper.

Belgrave Profile

Full Name: Raheem Belgrave

Nickname: Birdie

DoB: 7 November 1992

Hometown: D’Abadie

Schools: St. Mary’s College, University of the Southern Caribbean

Position: GK

Favorite Player: Adam Johnson (Admires his humility and skill level)

Best advice received: Do your best because that’s the best you can do (Rolie Polie Olie TV Show)

Major Teams: T&T U-17, T&T U-20, Jabloteh

'Birdie' (left) in greener days: Sharing a light moment with then St. Mary's captain Kyle Beggs.
Photo Courtesy CaptainU

Q&A

Q: When and where did you learn the basics of the game? And who taught you?
A: In primary school, the coaches of skhy would work with us as children. At that point I was not motivated to be a footballer. Entering St. Mary’s College, I felt my passion for the game begin to grow. I returned to SKHY and with the guidance of both Colin and Dexter Skeene and Joel Hyacinth, my potential was being molded. I must thank them for aiding me in becoming the player I am today.

Q: How has the transition been from Secondary School and youth football to Pro ball?

A: It was quick. Playing in the secondary school’s football league I had somewhat made a name for myself especially after making the junior national team. The levels and intensity of training is definitely a step up because unlike in youth football, professional football is your job, your career.

Q: Why do you think so many of our young players fall through the cracks?

A: There are so many external influences both positive and negative that circulate around us. As time goes by the difficulty of staying focused on your goal becomes much harder. Without proper coaching and guidance at junior levels, this trend of ‘players falling through the cracks will continue.

Q: You went on a trip to England recently. What was the main goal of your trip?

A: My main goal (or goals) were to attain a professional contract, get into the English footballing system and begin my career.

Q: How was the experience?

A: I would describe the experience as very enlightening. It’s interesting how a couple months in the home of football could open your eyes as much as they did mine. I’ve made many friends, met various coaches, visited some of the best stadiums in England and my list continues. I intend on returning in the near future.

Q: What are your immediate and future plans?

A: In the short term, I would like to continue training with my goal in mind, learn from the experience that I have around me so that my game can develop. In the medium term, I would love to make the national U23 Olympics team in hopes of going to RIO 2016 and finally, my long term plan is to play top level football in England, namely the premier league and represent Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup.

Q: What would you like to achieve before your career is over?

A: Representing Trinidad and Tobago at a senior level is a must for me. I am very Passionate about the sport and about my country as well. Also, know that I have assisted others in attaining their goal as well. It’s all about the future. Playing in both the premier and Champions league are two other personal achievements id like to fulfill as well.

Q: What advice would you give to young promising footballers such as yourself?

A: Always have a goal in mind. You can always become better. Listen to your coaches and people with experience because they have been in your position already and should aid you in making far less mistakes that you would have made were you on your own.

'Jep' stings late to keep Tigers Big Four dreams alive

A hat-trick by striker Kwesi "Jep" Allen saw St. Anthony's defeat San Juan North Secondary 4-3 in their BGTT/First Citizens Big Four match yesterday. Allen scored in the 84th minute to snatch the win for his team in what was a frenetic game. The win leaves the 'Tigers' with some hopes of snatching the Big Four title away from Naparima as both teams are level on points ahead of their pivotal decider on Saturday. 'Naps' defeated Speyside 5-2 yesterday and therefore hold the upper hand on St. Anthony's by way of goal difference.
St. Anthony's had the better of the opening exchanges in the blistering heat at Westmoorings but it was the boys in green who drew first blood. In the 18th minute San Juan captain Brent Sam easily dispossessed centre-back Isaiah McIntyre on the edge of the box before slamming a left-footed shot past Tigers goalkeeper Carlton Alfonso. San Juan's joy was very much short-lived though as the home team found themselves back on terms from the penalty spot just three minutes later through their National Under-20 midfielder Matthew Woo-Ling.
As if not to be outdone, Woo-Ling's Under-20 teammate Josiah Trimingham scored mere seconds afterward to restore parity to San Juan. The massive Trimingham; who looks like a man amongst boys really, rose brilliantly to head in a a cross by winger Brandon Semper that almost shouted out "score me", it was that good. The goal left 'Tigers' Alfonso baffled, while it had the 'Bourg' boys jumping with sheer delight.
San Juan's lead lasted all of nine minutes this time as Allen finally introduced himself to the game. First the speedy St. Anthony's striker easily tucked away a through ball to beat the outrushing D'Eandre Villaroel. And if that was not simple enough Allen beat Villaroel again in the 37th minute, this time heading in a well-floated Leon Whyle cross beyond the custodian who had again rushed off his line.

St. Anthony's playmaker Matthew Woo-Ling is ready to put in a teasing free-kick.

The second half started as lively as the first as Sam got into a war of words with an opposing player. The big #9 then took out those frustrations on Mawasi Lewis in the 51st minute as he wrestled his opposing skipper off before clinically sliding past Alfonso. The 'Tigers' skipper gestured to a tug of his shirt but it was to no avail. The game was now well balanced at three apiece and set up for an enthralling climax.
The chances mainly fell the way of St. Anthony's thereafter but San Juan still looked threatening, especially when the ball was at the feet of either Sam or Trimingham. The St. Anthony's coach constantly echoed....
"Don't give him (Sam) the left, don't give him the left!"
Meanwhile, the midfield battle between Trimingham and Woo-Ling raged on but the latter looked to have a better supporting cast. Whyle and his midfield partner Denzel Woods put in a very good shift in the midfield and did their best to restrict the powerhouse that was Trimingham.

The 'Tigers' faithful held their breath as Sam rose to meet a cross in the 80th but the striker's header went just wide. They were dancing and chanting just a few minutes later though as that man 'Jep' showed up once more. He escaped the attention of Trimingham following a set piece and applied a sweet left-footed volley that nestled in the bottom corner and beyond the reach of Villaroel in the San Juan goal.
San Juan tried to up the ante after the Tiger's go ahead goal but the pendulum had swung for the last time. The result means that that they are out of the Big Four running while St. Anthony's must defeat Naparima on Saturday in order to become Big Four Champions. 

Penalties, and more penalties

The two semi-finals of the First Citizens Cup played at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday evening failed to live up to my expectations. I was expecting to see lots of goals and also non-stop excitement; there was barely either. Both games were decided on penalty kicks after being goalless through the 90 minutes of regulation time and after the dust had settled Central FC and North East Stars emerged as the two winners. Central defeated Police 3-1 while North East got the better of San Juan Jabloteh by a 4-3 margin.

The second game of the evening’s double-header involving North East Stars and Jabloteh promised a lot in the early stages but in the end delivered very little. The Stars bolted out of the gates and looked set to give Jabloteh’s custodian Shane Mattis a long night as attacker Keron Cummings stung the big Jamaican’s finger tips with a left-footed drive in only the first minute. Much of the first half play headed towards Mattis’ goal thereafter but The Stars just could not get that clinical touch. Their precise and sharp passing caused a few problems for the Jabloteh backline within the first half hour and it even forced a collision in the Jabloteh penalty area. Mattis called for and collected a tame looking through ball which was intended for Stars striker Tyrone Charles and subsequently collided with one of his defenders in his follow through. The innocuous looking challenge left Mattis sprawling on the ground and in need of attention. He was then stretchered off after receiving treatment for approximately seven minutes.

Mattis’ replacement Raheem Belgrave was sprung into action almost immediately in the 37^th minute but was bailed out after Stars midfielder Taryk Sampson had his shot blocked after being played through on goal. Belgrave had to be on his toes again three minutes later as the in-form Charles found himself with a glorious opportunity from point-blank range but could only find Belgrave who was able to collect gleefully on the second attempt. Stars were almost made to pay for their wastefulness just before the end of the first half as Jabloteh full-back Jevon Morris found himself in a promising position after some neat work by Kerry Baptiste and Newton Sterling. Morris was unable to keep his effort on target though and looked on agonizingly as his left-footed shot sailed pass Cleon John’s right-hand post. 

Much of the sting was taken out of the game in the second half as both teams looked to have the shootout on their minds. There were still some great chances to win it in regulation time though and a couple of those fell to Charles who would have wished he took his shooting boots with him to Couva. First in the 62^nd minute the striker outpaced two Jabloteh defenders to make a long ball his but only managed to find the frame of Belgrave after the goalkeeper rushed off his line. Then in the 72^nd he failed to apply a finishing touch to a precise Kennedy Hinkson cross. 

As was the case in the first half, Jabloteh was almost able to snatch the game away from North East as the veteran Baptiste saw his shot skim off the post in the 81^st minute. Baptiste found himself in acres of space in the penalty area following a lucky ricochet but his right-footed shot just would not roll in.  

 

North East Stars midfielder Kion Joseph had the honors of sending his team through to the final as he coolly tucked away the tenth kick in the shootout to give his team a 4-3 win.

Central FC midfielder Jean Luc Rochford prepares to deliver a corner kick

 In the earlier of the two games Central FC goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams stole the show as he came up with three saves in the penalty shootout to see his team to victory. Central created the better of the chances during regulation time but were wasteful. This was largely down to sloppy finishing by Jason Marcano and Ataulla Guerra, and some fine work by Police's custodian Adrian Foncette.