Neil Benjamin
{{Short description|Trinidad and Tobago footballer}}
{{distinguish|Nell Benjamin}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Neil Benjamin
| fullname = Neil Tevin Michael Benjamin Jr.
| image = Neil_Benjamin_2017_interview.jpg
| caption = Benjamin at an interview as W Connection player in 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|8|20}}
| birth_place = Couva, Trinidad and Tobago
| height = 1.71 m
| currentclub = Nam Định F.C
| clubnumber =
| youthclubs1 = W Connection
| youthyears1 = 2001–2010
| youthclubs2 = Naparima College
| youthyears2 = 2010
| years1 = 2011–2018 | clubs1 = W Connection | caps1 = 28 | goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2018 | clubs2 = Nam Định F.C | caps2 = 7 | goals2 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2010–2011 | nationalteam1 = Trinidad and Tobago U17 | nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2012 | nationalteam2 = Trinidad and Tobago U20 | nationalcaps2 = 3 | nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2017–2019
| nationalteam3 = Trinidad and Tobago
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| pcupdate = 23 May 2014
| ntupdate = 11 August 2019
}}
Neil Tevin Michael Benjamin Jr. (born 20 August 1994) is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a winger for TT Pro League club W Connection.
Benjamin began his professional football career in 2011, at the age of 17, with W Connection in his native Trinidad and Tobago. During his time with the Savonetta Boys, Benjamin has won the TT Pro League title twice and the FA Trophy in 2013–14.
Early life
Benjamin was born in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, to parents Neil Sr. and Charlene.{{cite news
|title = One-on-one with Neil Benjamin Jr
|url = http://www.wired868.com/2014/04/24/one-on-one-with-neil-benjamin-jr
|author = Lasana Liburd
|publisher = Wired868.com
|date = 24 April 2014
|accessdate = 12 June 2014 }} In primary school, Neil discovered at an early age that he had a talent for his speed on the track. However, his focus would soon transition to football and credits his father and uncles, Glen and St. Nicholas, for his passion for the sport. At the age of 7, Benjamin enrolled in the youth program at TT Pro League club W Connection – based in his hometown of Couva.
Benjamin attended Naparima College in San Fernando, Trinidad and led the team to the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) South Zone title in 2010.{{cite news
|title = Caps retains Central crown
|url = http://m.guardian.co.tt/archives/sports/football/2010/10/17/caps-retains-central-crown
|author = Randy Bando
|publisher = Trinidad Guardian
|date = 17 October 2010
|accessdate = 12 June 2014 }} He later scored the lone goal in a 3–1 loss to St. Augustine Secondary, which witnessed Naps eliminated from the national Intercol Big Five competition.{{cite news
|title = 'Green Machine' power into Big Five final
|url = http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/_Green_Machine__power_into_Big_Five_final-105745598.html
|author = Kern DeFreitas
|publisher = T&T Express
|date = 26 October 2010
|accessdate = 12 June 2014 }}{{cite news
|title = Naps blank Shiva 2-0 to take South InterCol
|url = http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Naps_blank_Shiva_2-0_to_take_South_InterCol_-107376943.html
|author = Kern DeFreitas
|publisher = T&T Express
|date = 11 November 2010
|accessdate = 12 June 2014 }} In 2011, Benjamin was the joint-leading goal scorer with 10 goals in the under-17 reserve league while playing for W Connection and was named the most valuable player in the under-18 reserve league the following season.{{cite news
|title = Army rule at belated Pro League awards
|url = http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/Army-rule-at-belated-Pro-League-awards-202227811.html?m=y&smobile=y
|author = Kern DeFreitas
|publisher = T&T Express
|date = 9 March 2013
|accessdate = 27 June 2014 }}
Club career
=W Connection=
After several seasons in the club's youth program, Benjamin was promoted to the first-team in 2011, at the age of 17, with W Connection of the TT Pro League. Prior to his professional football debut with the Savonetta Boys, Benjamin and former Naparima College teammate Shahdon Winchester received a ten-day trial with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer in June 2011.{{cite news
|title = Connection's Winchester, Benjamin Jr. for Dallas trial
|url = http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=806&catid=1
|author = Randy Bando
|publisher = TTProLeague.com
|date = 29 April 2010
|accessdate = 12 June 2014}} Upon his return to Trinidad and Tobago, Neil featured in five league matches and took part in the club's fourth Pro League championship. Following the season, Benjamin helped W Connection finish runners-up in the 2012 CFU Club Championship and earn a place in the 2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League.{{cite web
|url=http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1258:caledonia-pips-connection-for-cfu-club-championship-title&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=80
|title=Caledonia pips Connection for CFU Club Championship title
|author=Randy Bando
|publisher=TTProLeague.com
|date=22 June 2012
|accessdate=2 February 2014
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129044556/http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1258:caledonia-pips-connection-for-cfu-club-championship-title&catid=1:domestic-news&Itemid=80
|archive-date=29 November 2014
|url-status=dead
}}
In September 2012, Benjamin traveled to Italy for a trial with Serie A club Genoa.{{cite web
|url=http://wired868.com/2012/11/12/w-connection-fires-back-at-national-coaches/
|title=W Connection fires back at national coaches
|author = Lasana Liburd
|publisher = Wired868.com
|date=12 November 2012
|accessdate = 12 June 2014 }} During his first week, he drew serious interest from Genoa after impressing the club with his speed and had his stay extended.{{cite web
|url=http://m.guardian.co.tt/sport/2012-11-13/john-williams-defends-w-connection-policy
|title=John-Williams defends W Connection policy
|author = Nigel Simon
|publisher = Trinidad Guardian
|date=14 November 2012
|accessdate = 12 June 2014 }} However, the trial proved unsuccessful and Neil was ultimately released to rejoin W Connection in November. Afterwards, Benjamin went on to enjoy an active second season with the Savonetta Boys after scoring four league goals and five in all competitions, including his first career hat-trick as a professional in a 4–0 win over eventual Pro League champions Defence Force on 6 May 2013.{{cite web
|url=http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php/tt-pro-league-news/domestics-news-2014/defence-force/1606-benjamin-trick-ruins-defence-force-s-digicel-pro-league-championship-celebrations
|title=Benjamin trick ruins Defence Force’s Digicel Pro League Championship celebrations
|author = Randy Bando
|publisher = TTProLeague.com
|date=7 May 2013
|accessdate = 12 June 2014 }}
Neil opened the 2013–14 season as a regular substitute for W Connection playing primarily as a right-wing forward. During the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League, Benjamin made appearances in each of the Savonetta Boys' four group stage matches. On 8 August 2013, he came on for Mekeil Williams in the 62nd minute and later scored W Connection's lone goal of the competition in a 3–1 loss to Árabe Unido.{{cite web
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/league/league-news/competitions/competition-news/concacaf-champions-league/12748-ward-scores-2-goals-in-arabe-unido-s-3-1-victory-over-w-connection.html
|title= Ward scores 2 goals in Arabe Unido's 3-1 victory over W Connection
|author = Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=9 August 2013
|accessdate = 13 June 2014 }} Two weeks later, Benjamin started in a scoreless draw at home against the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. During the match, Neil had two late match-winning opportunities with one "horrific" open net miss and another shot hitting the crossbar.{{cite web
|url=http://www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/08/houston-dynamo-admit-theyre-lucky-not-leave-trinidad-loss
|title= Houston Dynamo admit they're lucky not to leave Trinidad with loss
|author = Darrell Lovell (MLSsoccer.com)
|publisher = HoustonDynamo.com
|date=20 August 2013
|accessdate = 13 June 2014 }} Benjamin later had an impressive series of performances in the TOYOTA Classic and FA Trophy competitions.{{cite web
|url=http://wired868.com/2013/11/24/modeste-sando-stuns-dforce-joevin-jams-guaya/
|title= Modeste Sando stuns D/Force; Joevin jams Guaya
|author = Lasana Liburd
|publisher = Wired868.com
|date=24 November 2013
|accessdate = 13 June 2014 }} On 18 December, he was named the most valuable player of the FA Trophy final after scoring the tying goal to send the match into a penalty shootout and lead the Savonetta Boys to the club's first FA Trophy crown in 11 years.{{cite web
|url=http://wired868.com/2013/12/19/connection-penalises-central-in-thrilling-fa-final/
|title= Connection penalises Central in thrilling FA final
|author = Lasana Liburd
|publisher = Wired868.com
|date=19 December 2013
|accessdate = 13 June 2014 }} Afterwards, Benjamin experienced a dip in form with his lone league goal scored on 10 January 2014 in a narrow 2–1 win over Police.{{cite web
|url=http://wired868.com/2014/01/11/connection-edges-police-to-stay-unbeaten-caledonia-holds-central/
|title= Connection edges Police to stay unbeaten; Caledonia holds Central
|author = Lasana Liburd
|publisher = Wired868.com
|date=11 January 2014
|accessdate = 13 June 2014 }} He concluded his third season with W Connection with a string of substitute appearances to help lead the club to its fifth Pro League title and second in three years.{{cite news |title= W for Winners: How Jones and Connection became Pro League champions
|url=http://wired868.com/2014/05/11/w-for-winners-how-jones-and-connection-became-pro-league-champions/
|publisher = Wired868.com
|author = Lasana Liburd
|date=11 May 2014
|accessdate=15 May 2014 }}
International career
Benjamin has represented Trinidad and Tobago on various levels of international competition, having been capped for the under-17{{cite news |title= Cooper announces final U-17 squad for CONCACAF qualifiers
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u17/8565-cooper-announces-final-u-17-squad-for-concacaf-qualifiers.html
|author = Shaun Fuentes (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=9 February 2011
|access-date=16 February 2014 }} and under-20 national teams.{{cite news |title= U-20 team off to winning start
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u20/11304-u-20-team-off-to-winning-start.html
|author = Inshan Mohammed
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=8 August 2012
|access-date=12 June 2014 }}
=Youth teams=
He began his international career for the under-17 team during qualification for the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, where he made two starts in the midfield for the Soca Warriors against Cuba and Saint Kitts and Nevis.{{cite news |title= U-17 men whip St Kitts in CFU opener
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u17/7496-u-17-men-whip-st-kitts-in-cfu-opener.html
|author = Shaun Fuentes (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=19 August 2010
|access-date=16 February 2014 }}{{cite news |title= Cuba holds Under-17 boys goalless
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u17/7508-cuba-holds-under-17-boys-goalless.html
|author = Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=21 August 2010
|access-date=12 June 2014 }} He made a further second-half substitute appearance in the team's final group match against Bermuda to help Trinidad and Tobago top their qualification group.{{cite news |title= Jomal double sends T&T through
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u17/7518-jomal-double-sends-tat-through.html
|author = Ian Prescott (T&T Express)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=23 August 2010
|access-date=12 June 2014 }} In February 2011, during the continental competition, Benjamin started in consecutive matches against Jamaica and Guatemala.{{cite news |title= Henry scores two, T&T ties Jamaica 2–2
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u17/8595-henry-scores-two-tat-ties-jamaica-2-2.html
|author = Shaun Fuentes (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=15 February 2011
|access-date=16 February 2014 }}{{cite news |title= T&T seals U-17 QF berth with late goal
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u17/8604-tat-seals-u-17-qf-berth-with-late-goal.html
|author = CONCACAF.com
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=18 February 2011
|access-date=16 February 2014 }} However, in the quarterfinals, the Young Warriors were eliminated from the competition following a 2–0 defeat to Canada.{{cite news |title= T&T U-17 World Cup dream dashed by Canada
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u17/8621-tat-u-17-world-cup-dream-dashed-by-canada.html
|author = CONCACAF.com
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=23 February 2011
|access-date=16 February 2014 }}
In August 2012, Benjamin made consecutive starts as a defender for the under-20 team during their first round of qualification for the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.{{cite news |title= T&T put themselves in must win situation vs St Vincent
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u20/11314-tat-put-themselves-in-must-win-situation-vs-st-vincent.html
|author = Shaun Fuentes (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=11 August 2012
|access-date=12 June 2014 }} However, he was forced to miss the Soca Warriors' win against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines after receiving two yellow cards in each of the previous two matches.{{cite news |title= T&T seal spot in final CFU round with 3–0 win
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u20/11317-tat-seal-spot-in-final-cfu-round-with-3-0-win.html
|author = Shaun Fuentes (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=13 August 2012
|access-date=16 February 2014 }} In November 2012, under-20 team managers Hutson Charles and Ross Russell complained to Benjamin's parent club W Connection concerning the timing of the player's trial with Serie A club Genoa and subsequent decline in form on international duty.{{cite news |title= Russell spreads the blame for T&T U-20 failure
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u20/11831-russell-spreads-the-blame-for-tat-u-20-failure.html
|author = Lasana Liburd (Wired868.com)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=10 November 2012
|access-date=12 June 2014 }} As a result, Benjamin was left out of the squad for the team's final round of qualification.{{cite news |title= W Connection owner fires back after criticism from T&T national coaches
|url=http://www.socawarriors.net/mens-youth-team/youth-team-news/mens-u20/11847-w-connection-owner-fires-back-after-criticism-from-tat-national-coaches.html
|author = Lasana Liburd (Wired868.com)
|publisher = Soca Warriors Online
|date=13 November 2012
|access-date=12 June 2014 }}
Career statistics
=Club=
:As of 23 May 2014
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; font-size:90%;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|League CupIncludes appearances in the Trinidad and Tobago's Classic, Goal Shield, and Pro Bowl !colspan="2"|ContinentalIncludes appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League !colspan="2"|OtherIncludes appearances in the Trinidad and Tobago Charity Shield and CFU Club Championship !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4" align="left"| W Connection
| 2011–12 | rowspan="3"|TT Pro League |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2012–13
|9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 5 | |
| 2013–14
|14 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 5 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!28 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 59 | 10 | |
| colspan=3 | Career total
!28 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 59 | 10 |
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.ttproleague.com/index.php/youth-league-news/youth-u-16-2014/player/15-2012-13-digicel-pro-league/10-w-connection/617-neil-benjamin Neil Benjamin]{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at TTProLeague.com
- {{ESPN FC|176104}}
{{TT Pro League Golden Boot}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benjamin, Neil}}
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Trinidad and Tobago men's footballers
Category:21st-century Trinidad and Tobago sportsmen
Category:TT Pro League players
Category:W Connection F.C. players
Category:Nam Định F.C. players