Noray back from Lebanon stint

The nippy Noray is glad to be back home, but admitted he wants to return to Lebanon once the opportunity presents itself.

Noray featured in Jabloteh’s 4-2 win over Superstar Rangers on Saturday night at the Larry Gomes Stadium, and coach Terry Fenwick used him in a slightly different role, playing behind the two strikers and running at defenders.

Noray confessed to ttproleague.com after the match that he enjoyed his run.

“I like playing from that position, it gives me a little more freedom and I can do what I do best, which is run at defenders and cause problems,” he said.

The 26-year-old striker, said he benefited from his stint at Safa FC.

“It was a learning experience and I think I benefited a lot from being out there, it was very tough though, because as a foreign player you don’t get much protection from the referee,” he said.

“I must admit the standard of football here in the T&T Pro League is much higher that across there but when the season starts back in Lebanon, if the opportunity arises I want to go back, because the opportunities are greater when you play abroad,” Noray said.

The Jabloteh marksman scored ten goals in eight matches while at Safa FC.

The diminutive forward made it clear however that his main objective is to catch the eye of national coach Wim Rijsbergen and earn a recall to the national team.

“I decided the time was right for me to come back home now, with the World Cup over, I feel I can impress the national coaches, because I really would like to play for Trinidad and Tobago again, so that will be my focus over the next couple of weeks,” Noray said.

Noray has seven national caps and last played for TT in 2003 against Venezuela.

“I want to prove that I can play at the highest level so I will be doing my utmost to raise my game playing for Jabloteh and I hope the national coach gives me an opportunity,” he said.

Noray was Jabloteh’s second highest goal scorer last season netting eight goals, before he left for Lebanon in February, just before the start of the 2006 season.

Jabloteh’s coach Fenwick is ecstatic to have the busy striker back in the Jabloteh fold.

“I am truly delighted, he is back with us for the remainder of the season, he adds a lot of dimension to our side, he is just a fantastic little player, and I think he was really unfortunate not to be given an opportunity to make the World Cup squad, said Fenwick.

“But we are happy to have him back, he is a valuable asset to our squad, he has got great ability, great vision, great dribbling skills and he is like a tiger when he does not have the ball so I am hoping he will make an impression over the next few weeks and get a nod on the national team,” said Fenwick.