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Players must show capacity to play at highest level
published: Wednesday | February 13, 2008
THE ASH Wednesday international friendly against Costa Rica at the Office provided some rather insightful details for Jamaica's senior national football team and technical director René Simoes, back in charge of the Reggae Boyz since making his departure almost eight years ago.
Again, the Brazilian has been entrusted with the responsibility of qualifying this country to football's World Cup Finals, this time, the 2010 edition in South Africa, following the achievement of 1998 when he guided the Boyz on a historic path to France.
Unlike the last time when a tonne-load of friendly internationals facilitated sharpening local talent for competition at the highest level, much of that process is now being done on a daily basis given the advancements that have earned Jamaican-bred 'ballers contracts in professional leagues across Europe and the United States.
The significance is vast, as shown by the players with that level of experience and exposure who were only able to express their real talent in such a dominating way over the Central Americans because they played with the sort of confidence that flows hand in hand through composure - a direct link to their everyday coexistence as pros trading punches with people of similar ilk.
Marshall exceptional
The well-established Tyrone Marshall, who scored the goal, has always been exceptional and should be given a more authoritative role away from full-back and in the heart of the team.
Jamaica's midfield had full control, but with such dominance and ample coverage, Jason Morrison, recently transferred to Royal Whitestar in Belgium, should have taken the responsibility of piercing the middle with some dribbling. He laid off easy passes all evening, something just about any 'baller can do. However, Morrison possesses immense close-ball skills and should have tried to make deep cuts through defence.
Those confident displays - like I'm sure he'd have done in a Portmore United shirt - are the type of things that create goal chances and cement a place in a team for players, not just the run-of-the-mill activities all the time that give more latitude to a play. The capacity to play in accordance with one's ability at any level is what truly defines any player, like a Rudolph Austin.
All local-based players must do that and grab the opportunities that come their way, remembering that sometimes it's the only half-chance they're going to get. Many players complain that they don't get enough chances, but if they don't show the capacity to play at the higher level, then they'd have in fact wasted their opportunity. It has happened to many players in the past.
Luton Shelton's inability through injury certainly provided more answers than questions. The team needs several good backup strikers. Roen Nelson, a year-to-year top premier league scorer, got very few minutes but looked out of sorts. Even with one touch, you've to at least look the part because this is the way the opportunity comes most times - in a five-minute run.
Lowe back
Shelton's strain would have eased long before the qualifiers begin. In terms of other options, Damani Ralph, along with Rubin Kazan in Russia, is out, recuperating from another surgery. There is Teofore Bennett and Jermaine Johnson - both based overseas - who weren't called up for the Costa Rica game and Onandi Lowe is back playing and scoring goals.
Besides experience, Lowe has size, which really matters and he would be a threat to any CONCACAF defence. Of course, Lowe's desire and willingness are significant. The same applies to a midfielder who, unlike Lowe, is on the inside now, Jermaine Hue, whose vision and cutting-edge passing will make a difference to this team. Hue, and Waterhouse's Vincent Earl, I'm sure, can offer more to the team than Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who gets caught up too much in his own game. Simply, the inability to utilise one's skill for the team's benefit makes no sense.
No joke team
Costa Rica, with five World Cup Finals appearances, are not a joke team. What fortifies that fact is the squad that faced off with the Boyz included 10 members from their '06 campaign. A significant difference for them this time would have been the absence of that dangerous, gangly striker, Paulo Wanchope, who announced his international retirement.
The Central Americans number among Jamaica's top threats on this African sojourn and though a friendly, the manner in which they were played off the ballpark is encouraging. Even more encouraging was the way in which the Boyz held their heads high and fought back to make an equaliser through Marshall's header at the death, after conceding so late when substitute Victor Nunez stuck a grounder past Donovan Ricketts at the 78th minute.
That type of response, at the back-end of a game when teams concentrate heavily on maintaining a lead, especially away from home, reflects a certain level of class.
One would remember times in the past campaign against Panama when Jamaica made nearly goal-a-minute chances and ended up being eliminated. There was also El Salvador in the '98 campaign when opportunities were being spurned aplenty until an Andy 'Bomber' Williams free kick from miles hit the ground in front the keeper and squirmed in then out his hands into goal.
It's all that matters in qualifiers, scoring to get good results at home, then prepare for the long, hard grind on the road.
Given the last-gasp equaliser and not wanting to be too 'craven', one could easily have felt deserving of the result but in truth, the Boyz worked hard to earn better in a comprehensive display that muffled Costa Rica's offence until a dreadful lapse let through Nunez for that one goal.
Good, good look
Simoes would have had a good look at that one and the players holding the central defensive role, Damion Stewart and Ian Goodison, as they played full time and never had much to do before then. In fact, nearly all the players got maximum time as only four changes - three after the 80th minute - were made. Simoes got a good, good look.
Another try comes along on March 26 when gigantic and very athletic Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones leads the Trinidad and Tobago charge in an international friendly.
He has given every English Premiership team problems and, more than any player on that team, should provide some more insightful details for Simoes as he assesses the Boyz, especially those in the crucial centre area at the back where there are other good options.
published: Wednesday | February 13, 2008
THE ASH Wednesday international friendly against Costa Rica at the Office provided some rather insightful details for Jamaica's senior national football team and technical director René Simoes, back in charge of the Reggae Boyz since making his departure almost eight years ago.
Again, the Brazilian has been entrusted with the responsibility of qualifying this country to football's World Cup Finals, this time, the 2010 edition in South Africa, following the achievement of 1998 when he guided the Boyz on a historic path to France.
Unlike the last time when a tonne-load of friendly internationals facilitated sharpening local talent for competition at the highest level, much of that process is now being done on a daily basis given the advancements that have earned Jamaican-bred 'ballers contracts in professional leagues across Europe and the United States.
The significance is vast, as shown by the players with that level of experience and exposure who were only able to express their real talent in such a dominating way over the Central Americans because they played with the sort of confidence that flows hand in hand through composure - a direct link to their everyday coexistence as pros trading punches with people of similar ilk.
Marshall exceptional
The well-established Tyrone Marshall, who scored the goal, has always been exceptional and should be given a more authoritative role away from full-back and in the heart of the team.
Jamaica's midfield had full control, but with such dominance and ample coverage, Jason Morrison, recently transferred to Royal Whitestar in Belgium, should have taken the responsibility of piercing the middle with some dribbling. He laid off easy passes all evening, something just about any 'baller can do. However, Morrison possesses immense close-ball skills and should have tried to make deep cuts through defence.
Those confident displays - like I'm sure he'd have done in a Portmore United shirt - are the type of things that create goal chances and cement a place in a team for players, not just the run-of-the-mill activities all the time that give more latitude to a play. The capacity to play in accordance with one's ability at any level is what truly defines any player, like a Rudolph Austin.
All local-based players must do that and grab the opportunities that come their way, remembering that sometimes it's the only half-chance they're going to get. Many players complain that they don't get enough chances, but if they don't show the capacity to play at the higher level, then they'd have in fact wasted their opportunity. It has happened to many players in the past.
Luton Shelton's inability through injury certainly provided more answers than questions. The team needs several good backup strikers. Roen Nelson, a year-to-year top premier league scorer, got very few minutes but looked out of sorts. Even with one touch, you've to at least look the part because this is the way the opportunity comes most times - in a five-minute run.
Lowe back
Shelton's strain would have eased long before the qualifiers begin. In terms of other options, Damani Ralph, along with Rubin Kazan in Russia, is out, recuperating from another surgery. There is Teofore Bennett and Jermaine Johnson - both based overseas - who weren't called up for the Costa Rica game and Onandi Lowe is back playing and scoring goals.
Besides experience, Lowe has size, which really matters and he would be a threat to any CONCACAF defence. Of course, Lowe's desire and willingness are significant. The same applies to a midfielder who, unlike Lowe, is on the inside now, Jermaine Hue, whose vision and cutting-edge passing will make a difference to this team. Hue, and Waterhouse's Vincent Earl, I'm sure, can offer more to the team than Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who gets caught up too much in his own game. Simply, the inability to utilise one's skill for the team's benefit makes no sense.
No joke team
Costa Rica, with five World Cup Finals appearances, are not a joke team. What fortifies that fact is the squad that faced off with the Boyz included 10 members from their '06 campaign. A significant difference for them this time would have been the absence of that dangerous, gangly striker, Paulo Wanchope, who announced his international retirement.
The Central Americans number among Jamaica's top threats on this African sojourn and though a friendly, the manner in which they were played off the ballpark is encouraging. Even more encouraging was the way in which the Boyz held their heads high and fought back to make an equaliser through Marshall's header at the death, after conceding so late when substitute Victor Nunez stuck a grounder past Donovan Ricketts at the 78th minute.
That type of response, at the back-end of a game when teams concentrate heavily on maintaining a lead, especially away from home, reflects a certain level of class.
One would remember times in the past campaign against Panama when Jamaica made nearly goal-a-minute chances and ended up being eliminated. There was also El Salvador in the '98 campaign when opportunities were being spurned aplenty until an Andy 'Bomber' Williams free kick from miles hit the ground in front the keeper and squirmed in then out his hands into goal.
It's all that matters in qualifiers, scoring to get good results at home, then prepare for the long, hard grind on the road.
Given the last-gasp equaliser and not wanting to be too 'craven', one could easily have felt deserving of the result but in truth, the Boyz worked hard to earn better in a comprehensive display that muffled Costa Rica's offence until a dreadful lapse let through Nunez for that one goal.
Good, good look
Simoes would have had a good look at that one and the players holding the central defensive role, Damion Stewart and Ian Goodison, as they played full time and never had much to do before then. In fact, nearly all the players got maximum time as only four changes - three after the 80th minute - were made. Simoes got a good, good look.
Another try comes along on March 26 when gigantic and very athletic Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones leads the Trinidad and Tobago charge in an international friendly.
He has given every English Premiership team problems and, more than any player on that team, should provide some more insightful details for Simoes as he assesses the Boyz, especially those in the crucial centre area at the back where there are other good options.
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