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Five-star Shelton grasps opportunity
BY PAUL A REID Observer writer
reidp@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, June 20, 2008
FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny - Luton Shelton only got into the starting team for Jamaica's CONCACAF World Cup qualifying series against the Bahamas due to a knee injury to regular starter Ricardo Fuller. He made full use of it.
After scoring five goals over the two-leg tie, which the Reggae Boyz won 13-0 on aggregate to advance to the semi-final stage, it may be difficult to nudge the Sheffield United player from the starting line-up.
Reggae Boy Luton Shelton eludes a challenge from Bahamas goalkeeper Dwayne Whylly during the second leg of their World Cup Qualifier at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium on Wednesday. Shelton scored a hat-trick in Jamaica's 6-0 win . (Photo: Paul Reid)
Shelton started alongside Marlon King in the first game and Deon Burton in the second game.
The 22-year-old former Harbour View striker who scored a brace in Sunday's first leg in Kingston and a first-half hat-trick in the return leg at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium in Trelawny on Wednesday, said having got the opportunity he wanted to make the best of it.
A speedy player, Shelton, who has played at every level for his country, has had a frustrating run in the national shirt lately, despite being a prolific scorer at club level. However, whenever he gets playing time he tends to find the net on a regular basis for the Reggae Boyz, though those games are usually against the weaker teams.
Minutes after the final whistle on Wednesday, he told the Observer that "I got my chances and I have to take them. It is my dream to play in the World Cup, so I have to get down to business and do what I have to do."
It was not the first time Shelton was facing members of the Bahamas team as the Jamaica Under-23 team was beaten 0-1 in an Olympic Qualifier in Haiti last October, effectively ending their chances of advancing.
Shelton missed more than a handful of chances in that game where the young Reggae Boyz created numerous opportunities.
Asked whether he got redemption with his recent five goals, Fuller said it was "not so much redemption, but the artificial surface (in Haiti) was horrible and difficult to manage, but now we're at home where conditions are much better and this is the World Cup and we have to advance as far as we can go".
After his outstanding performance, Shelton said his confidence level is very high.
"My confidence level is very high right now. Five goals in two games is brilliant so I just have to go out and see if I can get some more for the team," he said.
BY PAUL A REID Observer writer
reidp@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, June 20, 2008
FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny - Luton Shelton only got into the starting team for Jamaica's CONCACAF World Cup qualifying series against the Bahamas due to a knee injury to regular starter Ricardo Fuller. He made full use of it.
After scoring five goals over the two-leg tie, which the Reggae Boyz won 13-0 on aggregate to advance to the semi-final stage, it may be difficult to nudge the Sheffield United player from the starting line-up.
Reggae Boy Luton Shelton eludes a challenge from Bahamas goalkeeper Dwayne Whylly during the second leg of their World Cup Qualifier at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium on Wednesday. Shelton scored a hat-trick in Jamaica's 6-0 win . (Photo: Paul Reid)
Shelton started alongside Marlon King in the first game and Deon Burton in the second game.
The 22-year-old former Harbour View striker who scored a brace in Sunday's first leg in Kingston and a first-half hat-trick in the return leg at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium in Trelawny on Wednesday, said having got the opportunity he wanted to make the best of it.
A speedy player, Shelton, who has played at every level for his country, has had a frustrating run in the national shirt lately, despite being a prolific scorer at club level. However, whenever he gets playing time he tends to find the net on a regular basis for the Reggae Boyz, though those games are usually against the weaker teams.
Minutes after the final whistle on Wednesday, he told the Observer that "I got my chances and I have to take them. It is my dream to play in the World Cup, so I have to get down to business and do what I have to do."
It was not the first time Shelton was facing members of the Bahamas team as the Jamaica Under-23 team was beaten 0-1 in an Olympic Qualifier in Haiti last October, effectively ending their chances of advancing.
Shelton missed more than a handful of chances in that game where the young Reggae Boyz created numerous opportunities.
Asked whether he got redemption with his recent five goals, Fuller said it was "not so much redemption, but the artificial surface (in Haiti) was horrible and difficult to manage, but now we're at home where conditions are much better and this is the World Cup and we have to advance as far as we can go".
After his outstanding performance, Shelton said his confidence level is very high.
"My confidence level is very high right now. Five goals in two games is brilliant so I just have to go out and see if I can get some more for the team," he said.
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