After a somewhat troubled career with many club changes, it finally looks like Kennya Cordner has found the right one. In 2018 she moved to Norway to play for Sandviken, and during her two seasons in Norway, she has battled with the defenders in the Toppserien. We had a chat with last year's top scorer.
Kennya Cordner has visited countless clubs, and played in countries such as Sweden, Australia, the United States and Paraguay. Before the 2018 season, she chose to go to Norway to play for Sandviken. During her two years in Norwegian football, she has proved to be a real goalscorer with 25 goals in 45 games, with last year's season as an absolute highlight. Her 17 goals were enough to secure the top scorer title and helped Sandviken to a very solid 4th place in the Toppserien.
This season, she hopes for more success for herself and Sandviken, but to achieve this, she must work hard. Cordner loves to score goals, which she did a lot of last season. At the same time, she believes that one must believe in oneself and keep trying all the time. She draws inspiration from the player many believe is the best football player of all time, the Argentine talisman, Lionel Messi.
Self-training, hard work and Lionel Messi
- Let's start by talking about yourself. Who is Kennya Cordner and how would you describe yourself as a player?
- I would describe myself as a humble player. I love to score goals and I work hard to master what I'm doing on the field. I have faith in everything I do, and even if I make mistakes, I keep trying, because no one is perfect.
- What is behind your success? How did you train in your childhood to become so good?
- When I didn't have anyone to train with, I had to do it for myself and on my own. I feel that one does their best work when no one is watching, so self-training is the main reason for my success today.
Do you have any examples? How have they influenced and inspired you as a human and football player?
- Lionel Messi is one of my role models because I love the way he plays football. He is a very humble person and he prioritizes the team over himself and that is the kind of player I am. He is also a family person like me, and it is the way he handles things so easily, that remind me of myself.
Racism: - People look at you differently
Racism has been a topical issue in the world lately after the murder of George Floyd. The Black Lives Matter campaign has been strong globally, and stadiums around the world have been flagged by players, coaches and supporters.
- What are your thoughts on racism in football and the world in general?
- At some point this became a relevant topic. It's hard to be a colored person because people look at you differently and you never get complete respect.
- Have you experienced any cases of racism in Norway that you want to tell about?
-No! Fortunately, I have never experienced racism in Norway.
About Sandviken
Cordner is now entering her third season as a Sandviken player following her move from Paraguayan football before the 2018 season. In her first season in Norwegian football she scored an acceptable 8 goals in 21 games, while last season she really emerged as a goal scorer of rank with 17 goals in 24 games, which was enough to secure the top scorer title from Røa player Synne Jensen. One can therefore safely say that Cordner's stay in Norway has been successful so far, something she herself hopes will continue in the 2020 season.
- How would you like to summarize your first two years in Norway and Sandviken?
- After being injured for two months and missing five games in the first season, I knew I had to make up for it in 2019, which I did. I continued to work hard every day to achieve my goals. It was a dedication to my late aunt.
- What about this season; what is your and Sandviken's goal?
- For me, it's about continuing and working hard and scoring goals for my team. For Sandviken we must continue to be a unit and work hard together and end up among the medal places this season.
- You have played in many different clubs during your career. Do you feel that you have found your way in Sandviken and Norway?
Yes, I have played in many different countries, but I have to say that Norway has been the longest period of my football career. That's also why I'm still here playing for Sandviken. When you find your place and you are in an environment you love to play in, you will adapt to that community fairly quickly. I did, so I found myself in the right place.
- How are the facilities at Sandviken versus previous clubs you have been to?
- Most of the clubs I have played for have had good facilities, but the main differences with Sandviken are that it is always clean, and always ready for training and matches.
Norwegian football : - Big difference
- How was the transition to Norwegian football?
- The transition was quite different from what I've been used to, but being the person that I am, it didn't take long before I was able to adapt to it.
- What are your thoughts on the playing style in Norway? Are there any major differences from, say, the United States?
- Compared to the US and the other countries I've played in, there is a big difference. In Norway you have the physicality and sometimes very direct play, while in other places you have the toughness and the technical play, but during the two years I have been here I have seen changes.
The development of women's football: - We must involve the less fortunate with big dreams
In recent years, women's football has grown in popularity both in Norway and the worldwide. Last year's World Cup had high viewing numbers, over 10,000 made the trip to Brann Stadion to see Norway against England in September, and clubs such as Rosenborg (formerly Trondheims-Ørn) and Manchester United have created women's teams. In addition, the focus on women's football is increasing in several countries, but in Cordner's home country, Trinidad and Tobago it is not. She still hopes that development continues, but also points out that more can be done to develop women's soccer.
- How is the focus on women's soccer in your home country?
-It has always been a struggle in my country when it comes to women's football. We never got the things we needed to be good enough to play at the top levels.
- What do you think about the development of women's football in Norway and internationally?
- I think a lot more can be done to develop women's football. Not just in Norway, but worldwide. We must manage to involve the less fortunate with big dreams before it is too late for them.
The future
Cordner turns 32 in 2020. She has now reached a stage of her career where she could possibly have one last chance in a major European league. She herself is uncertain what the future will bring.
- Do you want to end your career in Norway or another place?
-I don't know what the future holds for me, so it's hard to answer now.
SOURCE: nfkvinner.no