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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 30 2005 : 7:45:15 PM
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November 23, 2004
The grief and disappointment that normally engulf a football mad nation after elimination from the coveted World Cup Finals is all a part of the natural order of things. The emotions being felt by Jamaica are similar to those experienced by Brazil in 1966 when Pele and company were hacked out of England, and by frenzied red-clad Trinidad & Tobago in 1989 when the US broke their bubble. The thing to do is to learn from the positives of the failed World Cup 2006 experience that will chart a successful course to South Africa 2010.
One of the good things that came out of the unsuccessful campaign is that Jamaica clearly emerged as the number three team in CONCACAF. Next World Cup campaign Jamaica will qualify for 2010 as the winner of the CONCACAF zone. The thing not to do is to have a knee-jerk reaction that panics the JFF into dismantling the senior program, and discard many competent players who have committed their international football future to Jamaica. Also, Jamaica would have done well to retain the services of the Brazilian, Sabastiao Lazaroni for the long term.
The JFF should begin the journey on the road to South Africa 2010 by replacing the entire coaching staff. There are many bright and talented coaches in Jamaica at the moment including, but not limited to Lenworth Hyde Sr., Donovan Hayles, Leebert Halliman, Neville Bell, David Hunt, Barrington Gaynor, and Glen Bailey who are having much success. Even the enigmatic Carlton "Spanner" Dennis who has led Santos' domination of KSAFA, JFF's largest Confed, deserves his moment in the sun. And, a more logical choice for Interim Technical Director was Jeffery Maxwell, the most tactically prepared coach in Jamaica.
Some technical errors were made in the 1-1 draw with the US that led to elimination from further World Cup competition. If one truly believes in divine intervention, then the arrival of Jason Euwell in time for a must win game would be regarded as a "God-send". Instead, Euwell, the most accomplished of the English acquisitions, languished on the bench for seventy minutes. Then, playing 4-4-2 in a must win situation against an experimental US team was a grave tactical error. Also, the insistence of playing Theodore Whitmore in midfield at age thirty-two when he has clearly demonstrated a lack of pace and minimal work rate in that sector was irreparable.
It is reported that the JFF lost $500 Million in revenue from the ten World Cup qualifying games that will not be played. But other revenue opportunities can be created by launching Jamaica's Road to South Africa 2010 campaign now, and inviting the best teams in the World to the Office. England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina, and World champions Brazil comes to mind. The Jamaican public has shown the unrelenting desire to come to the Office to watch their beloved Reggae Boyz compete against the best in the World.
The goal now is to improve Jamaica's rank in FIFA, striving to reach the top twenty by 2010. To achieve such results, JFF must maintain the 2006 squad of players complimented by the under twenty program. National football programs are constantly evolving. The US failed to win a game in France 98, and did not score even one goal. Yet, they rebound in Japan 2002 to reach the quarterfinals. The Brazil team that won the World Cup in 1994 was together for over twelve years.
Two demerits to Red Stripe for abandoning the national football program, and giving new meaning to the term, "Wagonist", and kudos to Digicel and Supreme Ventures for staying the course. Consistent with the premise of football evolution, it seems to be Trinidad's time to take their place on the grand stage. Let the entire Caribbean support Trinidad's campaign as they supported Jamaica in France 98. And maybe Dwight Yorke will make his first appearance at the World Cup Finals. |
Karl |
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THE ROAD TO SOUTH AFRICA 2010
