Boyz plan quality show for fans

[Karl]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Boyz plan quality show for fans</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>BY ANDREW HANCEL Observer staff reporter
Sunday, October 08, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>In Jamaican sport, there has always been a love-hate relationship between the fans and their beloved stars.
And it is no surprise hearing officials of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) appealing passionately to the fans to come out and support the Reggae Boyz today against Canada inside the National Stadium.<P class=StoryText align=justify>That appeal, apparently has the backing of the players, who seem hell-bent on making up with their followers, after Jamaica were embarrassingly eliminated from the Digicel Caribbean Cup a week ago here.<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=330 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>The Reggae Boyz, including Jamal Campbell-Ryce (left) and Ricardo fuller (second left) as they went through their final workout at the Boys' Town Football Club last evening. (Photo: Bryan Cummings) </SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>Playing in Group D along with Haiti, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), host Jamaica finished third, while suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to SVG, as they failed to take one of the two automatic spots to advance to the second round.
The defeat has not gone down well with the faithful fans, who turn out for the Group D matches played over three days.
But with today being an international day on FIFA's calendar, interim head coach Carl Brown was able to gather a much stronger squad to choose from.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Eleven overseas-based players make up the squad that will certainly add depth and quality to the fledgling team of mostly local-based players that took part in the regional championship.
Indeed, the band of foreign players are desperate to make amends, as they are well aware that nothing less than a superb showing against the Canadians will be accepted from the fans.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"I would say that they want to make amends... we have to get the nation behind us again by starting to play some good football, because that's what they need," said Shavar Thomas, who plies his trade at MLS club Kansas City Wizards.
"This is a tremendous challenge," added the 25-year-old. "We may look at it as just a friendly, but we need wins, and we haven't done so against good opposition."<P class=StoryText align=justify>Thomas, who has been out of the national programme for nearly two years said he is eager to make use of the opportunity.
Thomas' countryman, Ricardo Fuller, who plays for Stoke City in the Coca-Cola Football League Championship in England, is also fully cognisant that the fans are unhappy at the moment, but remains committed to reclaiming their hearts.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Said Fuller: "I know that no one is really looking forward to this game, especially the fans, because obviously we have really disappointed them, but football still goes on, no matter what. At the end of the day when we stop playing, other youngsters will be coming up playing the game, so we just have to continue doing the best we can and try to rebuild..."<P class=StoryText align=justify>In addition, the Stoke City striker told the Sunday Observer that he will be giving his best despite not being 100 per cent fit, but hopefully his experience and professionalism can "motivate the lads to rise above expectations".<P class=StoryText align=justify>Based on their performance in the regional competition, the Reggae Boyz are yet to find their footing, but with midfield general Jermaine Hue coming in, coach Brown may find the man who can pul

[Karl]

RE: Boyz plan quality show for fans

Well the boys and CB has been doing a PR job hoping to pull out the fanz!

...I hope the electronic media is pulling out all stops to 'ram' the 'Office'?!

[Karl]

RE: Boyz plan quality show for fans

Reggae Boyz in battle for pride
published: Sunday | October 8, 2006 <DIV class=KonaBody>

Howard Walker, Staff Reporter


Reggae Boyz captain Fabian Davis (right) is caught in discussion with Sean Fraser (centre) during their training session at the National Stadium on Friday. At left is midfielder Omar Daley. All three players are expected to figure prominently for Jamaica in today's clash against Canada. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer



THE ACHING Reggae Boyz will today try to restore lost pride when they take on Canada in an international friendly at the National Stadium starting at 5:00 p.m. Jamaica, coming off their embarrassing first-round exit in the Digicel Caribbean Cup, have nothing to play for but pride.

Interim coach Carl Brown, who will vacate office next month, says the Boyz are up for it and they know what to do.

"The fact that we are playing Canada makes it not really difficult to motivate the players," Brown said.

"The team is coming off a disappointment by not qualifying in the Digicel Cup. The players are aware of what is happening to them right now," he said.

"They just need to get out there and play as well as they can. I am certain that that will push them to ensure that they get a good result."

BOOED BY FANS

Jamaica's Digicel Caribbean Cup debacle means the team also failed to qualify for the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States and will not have a competitive game until the World Cup qualifiers start in 2008.

The Reggae Boyz played without verve and looked tepid during the Digicel Cup and were booed by their loyal but knowledgeable fans.

So with only pride to play for, the Reggae Boyz will have the task to produce a 'Joga Bonito', which means "play beautifully" in Portuguese.

Jamaica, ranked 77 in the world, have lost seven of their past 10 games with victories coming against Guatemala on October 1, 2005 and the recent 4-0 and 2-0 victories against St. Lucia and Haiti respectively.

PLUMMETING RECORD

Jamaica's poor record has seen the team plummet down the world ranking to their lowest point in years and it could drop even further when the next list is published.

Ricardo Fuller, Luton Shelton, Jermaine Hue, Claude Davis, Khari Stephenson and Jamal Campbell-Ryce will have to work overtime to secure Jamaica's first win over Canada since September 1997 when they won 1-0.

Meanwhile Canada, or the Maple Leaf Boys, are currently on a high and will be trying to extend their winning streak to five with another victory over Jamaica.

In 10 meetings to date, Canada have won six times to Jamaica's one with three games ending in draws.

NO UNDER-ESTIMATING

Stephen Hart, the interim coach of Canada, is overlooking Jamaica recent poor performances and knows he will have a game on his hand.

Said Hart: "Jamaica always have to be respected and moreso in 'The Office'. The team that lost to St Vincent will not be the team that plays tomorrow. I am in an interim position and it is always difficult. But you are not asking them to play for the coach, you are asking them to play for country," he said.

Only four players in the Canadian squad are not plying their trade overseas - the Montreal Impact trio of goalkeeper Greg Sutton and defenders Adam Braz and Gabriel Gervais along with the late inclusion of Martin Nash of the 2006 United Soccer Leagues Champion Vancouver Whitecaps.

Canada will be looking to Paul Stalteri of Tottenham Hotspur (England), Julian de Guzman, Deportivo La Coruna (Spain), Josh Simpson, Kaiserslautern (Germany), Tomasz Radzinski, Fulham (England) and Rob Friend, Heerenveen (Netherlands) to lead the charge.</DIV>