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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 12 2006 : 01:08:37 AM
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Livingston Scott, Observer staff reporter
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Members of Jamaica Under-21 football squad make their way to the team bus shortly after arriving from Suriname yesterday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)
Jamaica's successful Under-21 Reggae Boyz' squad returned home yesterday after winning their Caribbean group qualifiers against hosts Suriname and the Dominican Republic to advance to the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games set for Cartegena, Colombia, from July 16-29.
Akeem Priestly scored the only goal in Jamaica's victory over the Dominican Republic on Friday, while Richard West bagged a brace for the Young Boyz, as they trounced the host 5-1 on Sunday.
Jermaine Taylor, Priestly and Horace Howell were the other scorers in that game.
The Jamaicans have now qualified with Haiti and the Netherland Antilles from the Caribbean. Two other Caribbean Football Union (CFU) groups are to be decided with the winners of each group advancing to the CAC Games. They will be joined by four qualifiers from the Central American zone.
Coach Patrick 'Jackie' Walters said the team played a poor first game, but improved a lot for the second match.
"We did not play too well in the first game, but in the second game we were much better, and despite the intimidation from the home crowd, we kept our cool and made the best use of the afternoon," he said.
"If we had not qualified, it would have been a disappointment," he added.
Walters said the team still has much work to do before July.
"The team still has some way to go before they really gel and become a compact efficient team, and we hope to achieve that by the time the CAC Games come around," he said.
However, what pleased him most was the fact that they did so well with so many new players making their international debut.
Glenmuir and daCosta Cup's star striker Cornell Learmond made his international debut as a substitute in the second game, "and he looked comfortable", Walters noted.
Sean Francis also made his first international appearance at left-back, and there were also first-time caps for Lance DaCosta and Omroy Wilson as well.
"You can see that the potential is there... they only need some more exposure," he said.
During the time leading up to the Games, Walters said the technical director Wendell Downswell and his staff will work out a schedule for the team's preparation.
Captain Jermaine Taylor missed the first game due to a red card suspension carried over from the CONCACAF Gold Cup last year. However, the Harbour View defender said he was pleased to see other players step up.
"I must say congrats to the team for qualifying. This is a very good one for us. We left here knowing we had a task at hand, and through hard work we got the necessary victory," he said.
Portmore's Adrian Reid replaced Taylor for the first game, while Akeem Priestly captained the team in his place.
Taylor said Reid's performance was great, while Harbour View team-mate Priestly led from the front, netting the game's only goal to give them a narrow victory.
He said the team felt more optimistic going to Colombia.
"It is going to take a lot of hard work. We have never medalled at football at these Games, but with hard work we hope to change that and bring home a medal," he said.
The young Reggae Boyz will continue their preparation with a game against a GC Foster selection at the Spanish Town Prison Oval tomorrow afternoon.
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Karl |
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Young Boyz qualify for CAC Games
