Reggae Boyz call up foreign legion

[Tilla]

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">published: Wednesday | October 4, 2006</SPAN> <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">JamaicaARE lining up a very strong offensive squad in an all-out quest for victory against <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Canada</st1lace></st1:country-region> when the countries meet in an international football friendly at the National Stadium on Sunday.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The match is a return contest between the teams following Canada's 1-0 win in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Montreal</st1lace></st1:City> on September 4. Besides turning the tables, the Jamaicans are seeking a lift for more significant reasons. <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">National pride is hurting after having sagged to a new low following constant failures, especially the most recent - the ReggaeBoyz's elimination Sunday from a <st1lace w:st="on">Caribbean</st1lace> group play-off it hosted in the Digicel Caribbean Cup. <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Carl Brown, the interim head coach, reckons the situation calls for some urgent fixing and has gone for nine additional overseas-based players who are available at this time. <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"We're trying to put together a strong squad to play this game. We need to get a good result here," Brown told The Gleaner ahead of the 25-member squad's first training session yesterday afternoon. <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Supporters up in arms</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"After the recent failure to qualify for the next round of the Digicel Cup, football supporters are up in arms and the game is a bit down, so any victory now would boost the morale of the football fraternity," he said. Asked if football was at an all-time low here, Brown, whose team has been cheered and jeered amidst fluctuating Digicel Cup performances this past week, said "definitely ... only a victory would do something for the football at this time." <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Commenting further, the long-time national coach who himself is a former captain of the national team, said he has bolstered the attacking complement as it is "lacking". <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"The squad includes a good number of strikers this time. It includes Ricardo Fuller, Luton Shelton and Teofore Bennett, and they will add some depth to the squad, particularly the strike force. That's an area in which we are presently lacking," Brown said. <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Apart from Fuller, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Shelton</st1lace></st1:City> and Bennett, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jermaine Hue and Khari Stephenson are three ot

[Tekulife]

RE: Reggae Boyz call up foreign legion

They can't do without dem.Players like King/ Davis/ Gardener are playing in da highest region of de game. Vital to our causes.

[Mosiah]

RE: Reggae Boyz call up foreign legion

Extremely sad that Courtney isn't here to witness who has long referred to as Jamaica's best central defender, Shavar Thomas.

[Karl]

RE: Reggae Boyz call up foreign legion

Mosiah (10/4/2006)Extremely sad that Courtney isn't here to witness who has long referred to as Jamaica's best central defender, Shavar Thomas.

Mankine deh bout! Neva fear!

[Mosiah]

RE: Reggae Boyz call up foreign legion

We should never have to even consider bringing in the foreign legion to play the first round of the Digicel Cup. If we can't beat these minnows on a regular basis, then something is seriously wrong with our program!