ORANJESTAD- Aruba Soccer Federation has been profiling the members of the national team on a weekly basis. This week it is finally the turn of our captain Raymond Baten. Even tough he is not living in Aruba at this moment, just by speaking to him you will notice the pride and honor that it is for him to be playing for his island, our island Aruba.

Many of his team-mates that played with him during the 2011 only have positive things to say about him and the respect they have for him of and on the field. Raymond Baten made his international debut in 2011. As of December 2011 he has won 7 international caps for Aruba.

Raymond agreed to take part in the Q&A session of AVB and also he added in short of what we can expect from the Aruba national team during 2012.

"This coming months Aruba can be put back on the map of soccer. During 2011 luck was not on our side and we lost against St Lucia for the World Cup Qualification. In the home game we were much better than St Lucia, and we won the game with a couple of beautiful goals. In the away game and under very bad circumstances we lost unluckily after penalties. Last December we were very close to victory in Surinam. In the final we did not showed the quality difference in goals. In this final we showed how good we can play. During the coming months we will have the opportunity to win more games and move to higher ranking place where we are suppose to be. I think we have a team with boys of strong mentality, technical skills and willing to fight for each other and Aruba. If we use this coming period to play games we can grow to a higher level, than 2012 can be the year that Aruba will show what quality we have. We have a lot of potential on the island, not only in soccer but also in other sports. I hope we, the Aruban Soccer National Team, can be an example and motivation for especially the youth to give them energy to perform to their maximum ability in the sport they would like to do. I hope our good results will stimulate the government and businesses in Aruba to invest in sport to take sport to higher level. Sport will help put Aruba on the map, and will stimulate the economy of Aruba. More people will now Aruba is a beautiful place in several ways," Baten said.

AVB Player Profile

Name: Raymond Baten

Club: Voorschoten ‘97

Date of birth: 26-01-1989

Place of birth:  Delft, The Netherlands

Age: 23

Height: 1.88m

Nationality: Dutch

Position: Midfielder

Foot: Right

Q: How was the change from Holland to Aruba?
A: For me there is no change, Aruba is my home

Q: Your mentality on the field? What word would you apply?
A: Winner

Q: Do you enjoy playing against the best players in the Caribbean?
A: I am midfielder, but of course I want to defeat the attackers of opponent team.

Q: What is it like to be the captain of the national team?
A: It’s an honor; it gives an extra boost to help your team and to perform.

Q: Do you consider yourself young veteran in our National Team?
A: I am too young for a veteran, but I will coach my teammates were that is necessary.

Q: Best Advice your coach has given you?
A: Never panic

Q: Funniest teammate?
A: I think that is Anouar Kock,

Q: Give me an example?
A: He lives in his own world.

Q: Best dressed teammate?
A: Every person has his own style

Q: Boy Hood Idol?
A: That was Zidane, technical skills, play-maker, defeated a team on his own.

Q: What is it like preparing for a game?
A: Just relaxing and concentrate, eat and drink enough

Q: What is it like playing for the national team of Aruba?
A: It’s an honor, for me it is a beautiful experience. We can show that Aruba has enough talent to surprise some of the surrounding countries. It is a challenge for me as a person.

Q: At what age did you start playing soccer?
A: When I was 5 years old.

Q: What is your secret to staying in shape?
A: Enjoy life, sleep enough and eat healthy

Q: Best game you ever played?
A: I don’t know, I am not easily happy with a game that I have played.

Q: Favorite Movie?
A: Scarface

Q: Favorite Actors?
A: Al Pacino

Q: Favorite meal?
A: Rice with roasted Chicken legs

Q: Favorite professional soccer player?
A: At this moment; Mesut Ozil, beautiful style and control.

Q: What do you expect to achieve with your soccer career? What level?
A: I like to achieve the best level that is possible. We will see what is possible.

Q: Which would be your dream club to play for?
A: My dream is not a club, but just to continue enjoying life and try to play the best I can for Aruba.

RAYMOND BATEN