Garcia: ‘It’s a good look for TT’

NARISSA FRASER

TT footballer Levi Garcia is taking pride in his nationality as he is set to compete in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League with AEK Athens. He believes it is a great step for his team and “a good look for TT.”

The Greek team edged Germany’s VfL Wolfsburg 2-1, in a final play-off match at the Athens Olympic Stadium on Thursday.

Garcia started the match, playing 80 minutes of football – in what he called a difficult game – and was then replaced by Theodosis Macheras.

Admir Mehmedi put Wolfsburg ahead in the 45th minute, but Athens fired back with goals from Andre Simoes in the 64th, and Karim Ansarifard, in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.

It could have also ended 3-1 had Petros Mantalos not missed a penalty in the 20th minute.

Speaking with Newsday on Friday morning, Garcia said being included in the starting XI – for the second time since joining the club two weeks ago – “felt great".

Garcia said, “It was a difficult game and we had to dig deep to get the win. The guys fought for each other, so overall I think it was a good performance and I tried my best to do my part.”

AEK Athens were placed in group on Friday, along with Portuguese team Braga, Leicester City FC of England, and Ukrainian team Zorya Luhansk.

Garcia said, “It looks like a tough group – great games, great opponents and hopefully it will be a nice atmosphere and hopefully we can get as many points as possible and move on from there.

“It’s a great step for us and a good look for the country as well.”

The group stage will run from October 22 to December 10.

Garcia had previously played in four Europa League qualifying matches and two group games with Dutch team AZ Alkmaar in 2016-2017.