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Rene Simoes let down by TG trio's absence from Reggae Boyz training
Carl Gilchrist
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
NATIONAL technical director Rene Simoes has expressed disappointment over the absence of three Tivoli Gardens players who have shunned the Reggae Boyz squad to allegedly play "corner league" football in New York.
The three - Navian Boyd, Christopher Jackson and Orane Simpson - should have been part of a 24-man squad for a July 14 to 20 training session at Grand Lido Braco in Trelawny in preparation for the July 26 friendly international match against El Salvador in Houston, Texas.
Simoes alleges that the three are in the United States playing "corner league" football, according to reports reaching him.
"If this is true, I am deeply hurt by this," Simoes told the Observer yesterday, ahead of a morning training session.
The Brazilian said the players' absence meant they were giving up a wonderful opportunity to represent their country.
When contacted, Tivoli's manager Bryan Rose confirmed that the players were abroad, but said he was not sure what they were doing.
"The only person I know about who is playing is (goalkeeper) Edsel Scott, because he told me he would be playing," Rose said.
The three are expected to return to join Tivoli's training programme, which started last week, but Rose said he was unsure when they would be returning.
"... For whatever time they stay away from training, it will take them that long to get back into the team. If they miss a month, they will have to train a month before they get back in the team," Rose explained.
Meanwhile, the national squad stepped up preparation with a 90-minute training session, which started at 8:00 yesterday morning.
Among the invitees was Nathan Koo-Boothe, whose last match was as part of the Under-21 squad which played in the CAC games in 2006.
After breaking his leg and being out of the national programme for two years, Koo-Boothe - who grew up in England - said he was happy to be back in the squad.
"This time I hope I can cement a place in the squad," said the big defender.
Simoes, in the meantime, expressed satisfaction with the way preparations are going for the upcoming matches. He, however, continued to bemoan the absence of adequate international matches for the programme.
Most of the overseas-based players will be absent for the match, which is part of preparation for the August 20 World Cup Qualifier against Canada at Toronto FC's home ground, BMO.
Carl Gilchrist
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
NATIONAL technical director Rene Simoes has expressed disappointment over the absence of three Tivoli Gardens players who have shunned the Reggae Boyz squad to allegedly play "corner league" football in New York.
The three - Navian Boyd, Christopher Jackson and Orane Simpson - should have been part of a 24-man squad for a July 14 to 20 training session at Grand Lido Braco in Trelawny in preparation for the July 26 friendly international match against El Salvador in Houston, Texas.
Simoes alleges that the three are in the United States playing "corner league" football, according to reports reaching him.
"If this is true, I am deeply hurt by this," Simoes told the Observer yesterday, ahead of a morning training session.
The Brazilian said the players' absence meant they were giving up a wonderful opportunity to represent their country.
When contacted, Tivoli's manager Bryan Rose confirmed that the players were abroad, but said he was not sure what they were doing.
"The only person I know about who is playing is (goalkeeper) Edsel Scott, because he told me he would be playing," Rose said.
The three are expected to return to join Tivoli's training programme, which started last week, but Rose said he was unsure when they would be returning.
"... For whatever time they stay away from training, it will take them that long to get back into the team. If they miss a month, they will have to train a month before they get back in the team," Rose explained.
Meanwhile, the national squad stepped up preparation with a 90-minute training session, which started at 8:00 yesterday morning.
Among the invitees was Nathan Koo-Boothe, whose last match was as part of the Under-21 squad which played in the CAC games in 2006.
After breaking his leg and being out of the national programme for two years, Koo-Boothe - who grew up in England - said he was happy to be back in the squad.
"This time I hope I can cement a place in the squad," said the big defender.
Simoes, in the meantime, expressed satisfaction with the way preparations are going for the upcoming matches. He, however, continued to bemoan the absence of adequate international matches for the programme.
Most of the overseas-based players will be absent for the match, which is part of preparation for the August 20 World Cup Qualifier against Canada at Toronto FC's home ground, BMO.
Can you remind the Forum when this might have happened? I don't think you can!
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