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Boyz set date with Ecuador
Sean Williams
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will tackle South American outfit Ecuador in a friendly international at Giants Stadium in New York on Wednesday, August 12, it was confirmed yesterday.
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, in verifying the fixture last night, said that securing "high-quality" opponents is the mission of his administration in an effort to keep Jamaica's FIFA ranking "respectable".
"For us to be able to attract a team of pedigree is an indication that people out there in the football world have confidence in and respect for this administration," Burrell said from Miami last night where he was due to attend the Boyz' decisive CONCACAF Gold Cup game against El Salvador.
The game against 36th-ranked Ecuador, to be played on a FIFA-sanctioned date, will be a part of a double-header which will see two other South American teams - Colombia and Venezuela - squaring off.
The last, and possibly the only recorded meeting between Jamaica (with a 65th FIFA ranking) and Ecuador, took place back in October 1996 in Ecuador where the hosts were 2-1 winners in a friendly fixture.
Only a week ago, the JFF boss announced a big friendly international against World Cup 2010 host South Africa on November 17 on the continent. A return game between the two nations is scheduled for March next year at Jamaica's National Stadium.
All three South American countries are using the match-ups to fine-tune preparation ahead of the last two rounds of South America's World Cup 2010 qualifiers scheduled to begin the first week of September.
Sean Williams
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will tackle South American outfit Ecuador in a friendly international at Giants Stadium in New York on Wednesday, August 12, it was confirmed yesterday.
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, in verifying the fixture last night, said that securing "high-quality" opponents is the mission of his administration in an effort to keep Jamaica's FIFA ranking "respectable".
"For us to be able to attract a team of pedigree is an indication that people out there in the football world have confidence in and respect for this administration," Burrell said from Miami last night where he was due to attend the Boyz' decisive CONCACAF Gold Cup game against El Salvador.
The game against 36th-ranked Ecuador, to be played on a FIFA-sanctioned date, will be a part of a double-header which will see two other South American teams - Colombia and Venezuela - squaring off.
The last, and possibly the only recorded meeting between Jamaica (with a 65th FIFA ranking) and Ecuador, took place back in October 1996 in Ecuador where the hosts were 2-1 winners in a friendly fixture.
Only a week ago, the JFF boss announced a big friendly international against World Cup 2010 host South Africa on November 17 on the continent. A return game between the two nations is scheduled for March next year at Jamaica's National Stadium.
All three South American countries are using the match-ups to fine-tune preparation ahead of the last two rounds of South America's World Cup 2010 qualifiers scheduled to begin the first week of September.
