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Thu, Mar

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At 15, Akeem Anthony Marshall has already started to display the star quality of an emerging top-ranked football player.


Marshall, who is a Form Two student of the Marabella Junior Secondary School, has so far scored an astonishing 23 goals in the 2004 British Gas SSFL.

He comes from Spring Land, Gasparillo, in south Trinidad, and says that his strength and talent come from God.

He told Arena that he was a devout Roman Catholic, who prays daily.

The striker said he was “extremely proud” to have netted so many goals. "It was not a hard task. God was there for me all the time."

Marshall started playing football as a toddler and made his debut at age seven, while at the Gasparillo Government Primary School.

He said the football programme at primary school was intensive and the school's team took part in several competitions in the district which served to spur his interest in making a career out of the demanding sport.

The player, who has a sister and a three-year-old brother, says his brother likes to play with a ball and may also have inherited the Marshall football genes.

He said his parents, Brenda Marshall and Marvin Foster, are proud of him. His mother gives him all the support she can.

Akeem said the Marabella team, captained by Tishay Massey, started out on some rocky roads that eventually smoothened out under proper guidance.

"In the beginning, there were people who did not understand the game and after we went through the problems we managed to solve a lot of them.

”The team spirit at Marabella is high and we all work as a team; we have to work as a team. Football is not a one-man sport, but a team effort and we understand that."

He said he has received a lot of support from the teachers at Marabella, and paid tribute to Andrew Dhanoo, the teacher who manages the football team.

He is grateful to the educators at MJSS, who have not only coached him in football, but have also assisted in his academic work.

“I try my best to balance my academic studies with sports by going the extra mile and ensuring my homework is completed.

He said he is very comfortable at Marabella Junior Secondary, which has become a five-year school and was de-shifted in 2003.

The young man said if he is made any offers by other schools to play football he would refuse, since he does not plan leaving Marabella JSS until he graduates.

His ultimate plan is to play football abroad - in Europe where he would not only earn big money, but be among the top footballers in the world where he would stand to gain a wealth of experience.

Marshall also plays for Star World Strikers of Cipero Street, San Fernando, and says his favourite football team is Real Madrid. The player he admires the most is Ronaldhino, a Brazilian midfielder.

"Dino plays real perfect. He controls the ball with comfort, takes it to the goal and scores."

He said he also likes the style of Arnold Dwarika, whom he describes as a 'simple yet effective player'.

If he is ever given the opportunity to play for T&T, Marshall says, he would hold the nation's flag high and make the country proud.

He said the best advice he can give to any youth is that if he wants to succeed,” to always be mindful of the company he keeps and to put trust and faith in God.”

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