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Bennett eyes further success with Swedish club
PAUL A REID, Observer writer
BENNETT (standing). scored four goals in first six matches
MONTEGO BAY - National striker Teafore Bennett has been an almost instant success with his Swedish Division One club, Osters IF, scoring four goals in his first six matches. But still, he is not fully satisfied.
The Village United player, who is signed on a one-year contract that expires in November when the season ends, said the club has an option to extend his contract for two more seasons and it's a "strong possibility" he would be heading back to Europe next season.
Bennett, who turns 26 on Saturday, spoke to the Observer on Wednesday while watching his local club beat Seba United in a pre-season friendly at Jarrett Park.
According to Bennett, the promoted club was in active negotiations with his agent to extend his stay there.
The player is in the island to join the national senior team for a two-game friendly series against Canada.
And while he would be more than willing to return to the club that is in relegation trouble, Bennett said he understands other clubs - including FC Copenhagen, who are in the European Champions League - have their eyes on him.
Playing in a set-up such as FC Copenhagen, he said, would be a "dream come true" as his ambition is to go as far as his talents will take him.
He described FC Copenhagen as "more established" and said it would be a great move for him, if it ever works out.
Bennett, who was signed from a Pennsylvania-based club, has scored three goals in the league and once in the Cup competition.
Earlier in his career, the former Cedric Titus daCosta Cup player who scored against the United States in a 1-1 draw earlier this year, said his dream was to play in the English League.
And while the Swedish League is a "step closer", his focus now is to concentrate on his game and leave the rest to take care of itself.
Asked to compare the standard of football in Sweden with Jamaica, he said, "There is no comparison".
Aside from the higher level of professionalism, he contends that Swedish football was "a lot more physical, and faster".
Settling down in Osters was easy as he described the town as quite small and quiet and the people as "polite and friendly".
Getting around is easy as he lives in a hotel in the "heart of the town", and everything he needs is close by.
Talking to the other Jamaicans plying their trade in Sweden "on a daily basis" has also made things a bit smoother, he said.
Bennett described Jermaine Hue, who plays for another Swedish club, Helsingborg, as his "closest friend" on the national team and said they talk several times a day.
He also communicates regularly with another Reggae Boy, Khari Stephenson, who plays in Sweden as well.
PAUL A REID, Observer writer
BENNETT (standing). scored four goals in first six matches
MONTEGO BAY - National striker Teafore Bennett has been an almost instant success with his Swedish Division One club, Osters IF, scoring four goals in his first six matches. But still, he is not fully satisfied.
The Village United player, who is signed on a one-year contract that expires in November when the season ends, said the club has an option to extend his contract for two more seasons and it's a "strong possibility" he would be heading back to Europe next season.
Bennett, who turns 26 on Saturday, spoke to the Observer on Wednesday while watching his local club beat Seba United in a pre-season friendly at Jarrett Park.
According to Bennett, the promoted club was in active negotiations with his agent to extend his stay there.
The player is in the island to join the national senior team for a two-game friendly series against Canada.
And while he would be more than willing to return to the club that is in relegation trouble, Bennett said he understands other clubs - including FC Copenhagen, who are in the European Champions League - have their eyes on him.
Playing in a set-up such as FC Copenhagen, he said, would be a "dream come true" as his ambition is to go as far as his talents will take him.
He described FC Copenhagen as "more established" and said it would be a great move for him, if it ever works out.
Bennett, who was signed from a Pennsylvania-based club, has scored three goals in the league and once in the Cup competition.
Earlier in his career, the former Cedric Titus daCosta Cup player who scored against the United States in a 1-1 draw earlier this year, said his dream was to play in the English League.
And while the Swedish League is a "step closer", his focus now is to concentrate on his game and leave the rest to take care of itself.
Asked to compare the standard of football in Sweden with Jamaica, he said, "There is no comparison".
Aside from the higher level of professionalism, he contends that Swedish football was "a lot more physical, and faster".
Settling down in Osters was easy as he described the town as quite small and quiet and the people as "polite and friendly".
Getting around is easy as he lives in a hotel in the "heart of the town", and everything he needs is close by.
Talking to the other Jamaicans plying their trade in Sweden "on a daily basis" has also made things a bit smoother, he said.
Bennett described Jermaine Hue, who plays for another Swedish club, Helsingborg, as his "closest friend" on the national team and said they talk several times a day.
He also communicates regularly with another Reggae Boy, Khari Stephenson, who plays in Sweden as well.
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