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Diziah
Starting Member
USA
33 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 11 2001 : 9:11:21 PM
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Article by Tony Becca
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JAMAICA still have a chance to qualify for next year's World Cup football finals in Japan and South Korea. With only two matches to go, however, one against the United States of America and one against group leaders Costa Rica, Jamaica's chance of surival is as hopeless as that of a snowball in hell.
In order to qualify from here, two things must happen. Jamaica must win both matches, the USA and Mexico must lose their two remaining matches, and based on what has gone on before, neither one appears possible.
Realistically, therefore, even though victories for Jamaica, victory for Honduras over Mexico and a draw between the USA and Trinidad and Tobago could see them through on goal difference, Jamaica are out.
To those who believed, from the beginning, that the odds were against Jamaica making it to the finals two times in a row, that is not surprising.
What is surprising, however, is that the main topic of discussion these past few days is not so much Jamaica's fate but rather the dismissal of technical director Clovis de Oliveira.
Did the Brazilian deserve to be sent packing? Based on the reports of indiscipline among the players, there should be no argument about it. On top of that, the tactics and strategies that saw the team short of players up front so often were poor, and so too, on many occasions, the selection of the starting 11 and the substitutions that followed.
Jamaica, generally, looked disjointed and confused, led by their captain, they argued too much over calls by the referee, from the sidelines, they also appeared lacking in motivation and the will to win, and in the world of professional football, the man who always pays for that is the one in charge - the one who calls the shots.
The only argument over the dismissal of de Oliveira should be the timing, and regardless of what happens elsewhere in the world of football, it does appear that the timing was bad.
If the charges of indiscipline among the players are true, de Oliveira should have been out long ago, and the fact that he was not removed before suggests that others - those with the power to remove him - also failed Jamaica's football.
On top of that, to have retained his services in spite of the indiscipline and the tactical errors and then dump him when all appears lost seems like the classic case of finding a scapegoat.
The dismissal of de Oliveira was justified. The timing, however, has angered a number of Jamaicans. To them, regardless of what happens elsewhere, it was heartless and not the Jamaican way, to them there is still some football to play, and they are hoping that a suitable replacement will be found quickly so that Jamaica will be able to fulfill their obligation.
There are two rounds to go, even if they have thrown in the towel, Jamaica's performance can determine who join Costa Rica in the finals, and their own pride aside, they have a responsibility to the game to be at their best.
Mexico, who defeated Jamaica at home and away when the Jamaicans were fighting for a place, who have Honduras and Costa Rica to play, and who are tied with the USA, would certainly not like to see a weakened Jamaica team, an under-prepared Jamaica, going up against the USA whose final match will be against bottom-placed Trinidad and Tobago.
Jamaica, were they in Mexico's position, would certainly not like it either.
Gleaner Company Ltd
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