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Acid test for Renes' Reggae Boyz
Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer
National technical director Rene Simoes - file
TECHNICAL director Rene Simoes showed his hand at training last night with a line-up appearing to be his starting team for tomorrow's friendly international against Costa Rica being put through its paces at the National Stadium.
Playing in blue vests, in-form Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller was paired in attack with new Wigan signing Marlon King.
Portmore United's Rudolph Austin and Jason Morrison of Belgian side Royal White Star, manned central midfield with Stoke's Demar Philips to their left and Jamal Campbell-Ryce of Barnsley on the right in what appeared to be a 4-4-2 formation, departing from the 5-3-2, which Simoes used to historically qualify Jamaica for the 1998 World cup finals.
Bolton Wanderers Ricardo Gardner was back at his customary left-back position and a fellow World Cup veteran, the tough-tackling Tyrone Marshall of Toronto FC, played right-back during the one-hour training session at 'The Office'.
Another World Cup veteran, Ian 'Pepe' Goodison of Tranmere Rovers, stood at central defence alongside Damion Stewart of Queens Park Rangers.
Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts of Bradford City is expected between the sticks, which will help boost his bid to move to Championship side Queen's Park Rangers, a deal, which fell through after the Jamaican failed to meet the required number of internationals for his country.
The Boyz are hunting their third consecutive friendly international win since Captain Horace Burrell regained the presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and their first under the inspirational Simoes.
Jamaica started their comeback in style under Burrell, beating El Salvador and Guatemala 3-0 and 2-0 respectively in November, setting the tone for their South Africa 2008 world Cup bid.
A massive, if not sold out, crowd is expected at the National Stadium where Jamaica had built a reputation, going on an unbeaten run during qualification for the 1998 World cup, dubbing the venue 'The Office'.
The Reggae Boyz are gunning for a victory to help improve their FIFA rankings and respectability around the North, Central American and Caribbean zone ahead of World Cup qualifying, which starts for Jamaica this summer.
The November victories moved Jamaica up five places to 98th in the FIFA Coca-Cola ranking for November.
Costa Rica, known as 'The Ticos', are now coached by a legendary player, Hernan Medford. The Central Americans have failed to gain a victory in their last nine matches. On January 19 they were beaten 1-0 by Sweden at home in Wanchope's farewell match and last Wednesday they held Iran to a 1-1 draw in Tehran's Azadi Stadium.
All eyes on King
All eyes will be on the Boyz especially King, one of nine overseas professionals in the line-up.
He first played for the Reggae Boyz in 2004 against Venezuela, and scored six goals in 12 appearances.
However, in 2006, King was suspended from playing for Jamaica for two years for breaking a team curfew and refusing to apologise to the then Crenson Boxhill-led JFF administration.
The Boyz squad includes eleven local players. The lone newcomer is 19-year-old defender Lance Laing of Harbour View. The other local players are goalkeepers Duwayne Kerr and Dwayne Miller, defenders Adrian Reid and Christopher Harvey. Midfielders Ricardo Cousins, Rudolph Austin, Wolry Wolfe, Jermaine Hue and Nicholy Findlayson and veteran forward Roen Nelson. Tomorrow's match will be an acid test for the Boyz under the new Burrell-Simoes era with hopes pinned on 2008 World Cup qualification.
Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer
National technical director Rene Simoes - file
TECHNICAL director Rene Simoes showed his hand at training last night with a line-up appearing to be his starting team for tomorrow's friendly international against Costa Rica being put through its paces at the National Stadium.
Playing in blue vests, in-form Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller was paired in attack with new Wigan signing Marlon King.
Portmore United's Rudolph Austin and Jason Morrison of Belgian side Royal White Star, manned central midfield with Stoke's Demar Philips to their left and Jamal Campbell-Ryce of Barnsley on the right in what appeared to be a 4-4-2 formation, departing from the 5-3-2, which Simoes used to historically qualify Jamaica for the 1998 World cup finals.
Bolton Wanderers Ricardo Gardner was back at his customary left-back position and a fellow World Cup veteran, the tough-tackling Tyrone Marshall of Toronto FC, played right-back during the one-hour training session at 'The Office'.
Another World Cup veteran, Ian 'Pepe' Goodison of Tranmere Rovers, stood at central defence alongside Damion Stewart of Queens Park Rangers.
Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts of Bradford City is expected between the sticks, which will help boost his bid to move to Championship side Queen's Park Rangers, a deal, which fell through after the Jamaican failed to meet the required number of internationals for his country.
The Boyz are hunting their third consecutive friendly international win since Captain Horace Burrell regained the presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and their first under the inspirational Simoes.
Jamaica started their comeback in style under Burrell, beating El Salvador and Guatemala 3-0 and 2-0 respectively in November, setting the tone for their South Africa 2008 world Cup bid.
A massive, if not sold out, crowd is expected at the National Stadium where Jamaica had built a reputation, going on an unbeaten run during qualification for the 1998 World cup, dubbing the venue 'The Office'.
The Reggae Boyz are gunning for a victory to help improve their FIFA rankings and respectability around the North, Central American and Caribbean zone ahead of World Cup qualifying, which starts for Jamaica this summer.
The November victories moved Jamaica up five places to 98th in the FIFA Coca-Cola ranking for November.
Costa Rica, known as 'The Ticos', are now coached by a legendary player, Hernan Medford. The Central Americans have failed to gain a victory in their last nine matches. On January 19 they were beaten 1-0 by Sweden at home in Wanchope's farewell match and last Wednesday they held Iran to a 1-1 draw in Tehran's Azadi Stadium.
All eyes on King
All eyes will be on the Boyz especially King, one of nine overseas professionals in the line-up.
He first played for the Reggae Boyz in 2004 against Venezuela, and scored six goals in 12 appearances.
However, in 2006, King was suspended from playing for Jamaica for two years for breaking a team curfew and refusing to apologise to the then Crenson Boxhill-led JFF administration.
The Boyz squad includes eleven local players. The lone newcomer is 19-year-old defender Lance Laing of Harbour View. The other local players are goalkeepers Duwayne Kerr and Dwayne Miller, defenders Adrian Reid and Christopher Harvey. Midfielders Ricardo Cousins, Rudolph Austin, Wolry Wolfe, Jermaine Hue and Nicholy Findlayson and veteran forward Roen Nelson. Tomorrow's match will be an acid test for the Boyz under the new Burrell-Simoes era with hopes pinned on 2008 World Cup qualification.
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