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JAMAICA FOOTBALL FEDERATION LTD.
Founded 1962, Affiliated to FIFA and CONCACAF C.F.U. CABLE: Football Jamaica
20 St. Lucia Crescent, Kingston 5, Jamaica, West Indies
Telephone: (876) 929-0484/929-8036/926-1182
Fax: (876) 929-0483
Email: jamff@hotmail.com
July 6, 2009
Following Jamaica’s loss in the opening game of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup and ahead of their second game against Costa Rica, team captain Ricardo Gardner, the most experienced member of the squad and veteran of Jamaica’s historic 1998 World Cup campaign, shares his thoughts and looks at the team’s chances of advancing.
Greetings everyone,
I know that like us you were looking for great things in our opening game of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup – especially because we had expressed confidence in taking home the Cup. That dream is not over. We can still do it.
Yes, Friday’s game was a major disappointment for us. We went out on the field wanting to get something out of the game but unfortunately we were unable to do so. But as Peter Tosh sang “we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start all over again”.
Friday’s game is gone. We have learnt from our mistakes. Those who observed the training could see that we are responding very well. Now we just have to look forward to the game against Costa Rica with a lot of positive thoughts and try to get the best out of it.
As the captain what I have tried to do is to get my teammates focused on the two games coming up. We first have to look forward to the Costa Rica game and we are definitely up for it. Once we do our best and fight for each other we can get the job done.
Even though eight teams will qualify for the quarter-final round which means that two of the three groups will have three teams advancing, we are not looking at the best third place right now. We are trying to top the group but for us to do that, we have to get by Costa Rica who we meet tomorrow. We have to go out there and fight for each other and then take it to the next game.
One of the great things about the preparations leading up to this game is that the players have responded very well to the coach. Another good thing is that we have no injuries to really worry about. I have been out for about three months before the Canada game and it was really great for me to get 90 minutes out of the way and I will go into tomorrow’s game with even more confidence.
There have been questions about our defensive unit and how Pepe (Ian Goodison) would have helped.
We all know what Pepe is like as a defender and what he brings. Yes, we did miss him in the first game but we have guys who I believe can fill the gap while he is not here. Sometimes we need that
spirit, that demanding nature that Pepe brings but it is for us to get that out of each other now that we are here without him and we will do it.
One thing that I promise you our supporters is that you can expect everything from us tomorrow individually and collectively. We will give of our best so I think you can look for three points.
Thanks for your support and stay tuned as we march forward.
Bless.
Bibi.
PATRON: The Governor General
OFFICERS: Captain Horace Burrell – President; Dale Spencer - 1st Vice President; Bruce Gaynor - 2nd Vice President; Raymond Anderson, 3rdVice President; Garfield Sinclair - Treasurer; Loraine Scringer - Executive Officer; Horace Reid - General Secretary
Compliments:www.digicelfootball.com..
Part of the Digicel Diaries Series
Founded 1962, Affiliated to FIFA and CONCACAF C.F.U. CABLE: Football Jamaica
20 St. Lucia Crescent, Kingston 5, Jamaica, West Indies
Telephone: (876) 929-0484/929-8036/926-1182
Fax: (876) 929-0483
Email: jamff@hotmail.com
July 6, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Following Jamaica’s loss in the opening game of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup and ahead of their second game against Costa Rica, team captain Ricardo Gardner, the most experienced member of the squad and veteran of Jamaica’s historic 1998 World Cup campaign, shares his thoughts and looks at the team’s chances of advancing.
Greetings everyone,
I know that like us you were looking for great things in our opening game of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup – especially because we had expressed confidence in taking home the Cup. That dream is not over. We can still do it.
Yes, Friday’s game was a major disappointment for us. We went out on the field wanting to get something out of the game but unfortunately we were unable to do so. But as Peter Tosh sang “we have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start all over again”.
Friday’s game is gone. We have learnt from our mistakes. Those who observed the training could see that we are responding very well. Now we just have to look forward to the game against Costa Rica with a lot of positive thoughts and try to get the best out of it.
As the captain what I have tried to do is to get my teammates focused on the two games coming up. We first have to look forward to the Costa Rica game and we are definitely up for it. Once we do our best and fight for each other we can get the job done.
Even though eight teams will qualify for the quarter-final round which means that two of the three groups will have three teams advancing, we are not looking at the best third place right now. We are trying to top the group but for us to do that, we have to get by Costa Rica who we meet tomorrow. We have to go out there and fight for each other and then take it to the next game.
One of the great things about the preparations leading up to this game is that the players have responded very well to the coach. Another good thing is that we have no injuries to really worry about. I have been out for about three months before the Canada game and it was really great for me to get 90 minutes out of the way and I will go into tomorrow’s game with even more confidence.
There have been questions about our defensive unit and how Pepe (Ian Goodison) would have helped.
We all know what Pepe is like as a defender and what he brings. Yes, we did miss him in the first game but we have guys who I believe can fill the gap while he is not here. Sometimes we need that
spirit, that demanding nature that Pepe brings but it is for us to get that out of each other now that we are here without him and we will do it.
One thing that I promise you our supporters is that you can expect everything from us tomorrow individually and collectively. We will give of our best so I think you can look for three points.
Thanks for your support and stay tuned as we march forward.
Bless.
Bibi.
PATRON: The Governor General
OFFICERS: Captain Horace Burrell – President; Dale Spencer - 1st Vice President; Bruce Gaynor - 2nd Vice President; Raymond Anderson, 3rdVice President; Garfield Sinclair - Treasurer; Loraine Scringer - Executive Officer; Horace Reid - General Secretary
Compliments:www.digicelfootball.com..
Part of the Digicel Diaries Series
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