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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 01 2004 : 09:22:05 AM
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Boyz arriving slowly for game against Panama
Observer Reporter
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
With just four days to go before Jamaica's potentially tricky CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against Panama, head coach Sebastiao Lazaroni is yet to assemble his full squad as a number of overseas-based players have still not arrived.
Up to press time last night, only two overseas-based players had landed - Ricardo Gardner of England's Bolton Wanderers and Craig Ziadie of the MetroStars in the US League.
However, nine UK-based players were scheduled to touch down last night. They are Claude Davis, Ricardo Fuller - who had an auspicious debut for Portsmouth in the English Premiership on Monday - Marlon King, Richard Langley, Deon Burton, Jamie Lawrence - who missed the semi-final opener against the US on August 18 - Garfield Reid, who also missed that game because of a red card suspension, Ian Goodison and skipper Theodore Whitmore.
According to team manager Howard Bell, Jermaine Johnson and Donovan Ricketts are expected in today from the UK, with Tyrone Marshall coming in from the USA.
Tomorrow, the Chicago Fire pair of Andy Williams and Damani Ralph are set to join up with the squad which is completed by local-based players Fabian Davis, Damion Stewart, Aaron Lawrence, Gerald Neil, Jermaine Taylor, Akeem Priestly, Chris Jackson and Richard McCallum.
The return of defenders Reid and Ziadie has provided more balance to the squad, which had only one such player - Stewart - in reserve against the US.
Add Gardner and Marshall, who can operate between defence and midfield and the squad looks even more balanced on paper.
In midfield, Lawrence, the "ever-trying runner" is back after being forced out of the last game as a result of injury. Williams, Whitmore, Johnson and Langley provide decent cover.
Interestingly, there is no place for Micah Hyde, who saw red in his last game for his club. Also missing is Kevin Lisbie of Charlton Athletic, who was one of three reserve strikers against the US. |
Karl |
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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2004 : 5:21:33 PM
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Charmin
Reggaeboyz creates History, tomorrow
Tuesday, September 07, 2004, 10:00:13 AM
IP:69.140.121.13
After two rounds of play in Concacaf W/Cup qualification the Reggae Boyz are facing elimination and the possibility of not even making it through to the final round of Concacaf W/Cup qualification.
The points table shows the US in front with Jamaica rooted at the bottom with a single point.
USA 4pts
El Salvador 3pts
Panama 3pts
Jamaica 1pts
After surrendering a late tying goal to the USA, Jamaica was expected to sweep aside the 'supposed' weakest team in the group, Panama, at home, which would have seen the Boyz going to El Salvador on 4pts instead of one tiney tiny point. But the Reggae Boyz gave up two goals to Panama--one very early in game and the other in injury time--while converting only one of the numerous chances that they created on the night.
After such a disappointing result it was only natural that the fans would become a bit irrational in thoughts and behaviour. But while we are disappointed, I can only imagine the uncertainties that are running through the minds of our players and coaching staff even. Since to date, Jamaica is yet to register a win while playing in a W/Cup qualifying game in Central America.
The immediate question then is: Can Jamaica defeat El Salvador in El Salvador? Then can they repeat the feat and defeat Panama in Panama? Do the players and coaching staff possess the mental fortitude to overcome the Central American hostility and tough playing conditions to see them through?
Within the core of my soul, I know they can. My intelligence, however, whispers that they will wilt under the pressure. History supports my intelligence. And while I enjoy being proven right most times, this is one time I wouldn't mind being wrong in no uncertain term.
From here on out Jamaica cannot afford another slip up. El Salvador must be defeated, then Panama and maybe the USA, if need be.
Good luck Boyz. Go forth and create history tomorrow.
Respect and irie ites!
Charmin |
Karl |
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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2004 : 05:37:33 AM
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Time to clear that Central American hurdle
FROM THE SPORTS DESK
Ian Burnett, Observer staff reporter
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
"Turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones" is an anonymous saying that the Reggae Boyz could readily adopt as they go into a must-win battle against El Salvador in San Salvador this evening.
What better motivation for the Boyz than to pull off their first win in Central America and get their "Road to Germany" campaign back on track?
The fact of the matter is that the Boyz are bottom of the barrel at the moment and for them to have any chance of advancing to the next phase, they will have to achieve the unprecedented feat of winning at least one of their two games in Central America, preferably starting today.
It will be a huge challenge for the Boyz, but they should know, or be told, that the situation also provides them with an opportunity to create their own history and make a statement for the rest of the semi-final round.
This is it!
Simply put, the Boyz must act and perform as if it were impossible to fail. Nothing else will suffice.
The players as a group need to hold their hands up and get themselves out of the predicament that they are in. While head coach Sebatiao Lazaroni could be faulted for dropping two points against the US, the players have only themselves to blame for coming away empty-handed against a clearly inferior Panama.
I make no apology for the coaching staff, but to fault them for team selection, tactics, substitutions and the loss to Panama would be tantamount to searching for the proverbial 'goat'.
Had the conversion rate in front of goal been anything remotely close to the players' professional status, then all Jamaicans would be happily celebrating with four points á la the US.
Nobody would have cared that Andy Williams did not start, or that the team went for a win rather than settle for a share of the points when Damani Ralph pulled level on 77 minutes.
I am firmly of the view that the current results do not do justice to the team's decent play, irrespective of what the numerous critics might say.
What the Boyz need to be aware of is that the nature of sport is of such that one minute one is considered a hero, and in the twinkling of an eye, he becomes a villain.
As I see it, the motivators in the camp need to let the players know that there is a strong possibility that should the ball bounce kindly for them, by the end of tonight's contest a victory would have all and sundry singing their praises.
I have accompanied the Boyz on numerous trips to Central America and have experienced some of the hostility from the intimidating crowds, but there is enough maturity in this group to look beyond the intimidation and focus on the 11 opponents.
El Salvador is no Mexico where one has to battle the elements - the Aztec's thin air and smog. In El Salvador and elsewhere in Central America the hindrance is more mental than anything else, and it is full time the Boyz emancipate themselves from this mental bondage.
After all, the Reggae Boyz are presently better equipped than most Central American countries. What better time for them to emulate the vivid examples of Veronica Campbell, the new Olympic 200 metres champion, and the women's 4X100 metres relay team!
As players, they have a responsibility to themselves, first of all, and then to their nation. All we ask is that they give maximum effort on the pitch - like the late Winston "Twinny Bug" Anglin did throughout his career - in an effort to create their own history.
Once they do that, the genuine football fan will be happy, irrespective of the final result. |
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Journey to Germany 2006 - Some tit-bits
