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U-17s play first practice game in Mexico
HOWARD WALKER @ the MEN’S UNDER-17 WORLD CUP IN MEXICO
Friday, June 10, 2011
TOLUCA, Mexico — Jamaica Under-17s will tackle their counterparts from the Reforma Athletic Cub in the first of two practice games today at 6:00 pm (Jamaica time) as they heighten their preparation for the FIFA Championships which kicks off on June 18.
Reforma Athletic is an amateur club from Toluca which was formed in 1894. The game should provide a useful workout for the young Reggae Boyz who have struggled with the high altitude during training.
Dr Ivor O’Connor (left) administers oxygen to Jamaica U-17 goalkeeper Odean Clarke who had breathing problems during training at the Exchacienda del Curmen field here yesterday. (Photo: Howard Walker)
Dr Ivor O’Connor (left) administers oxygen to Jamaica U-17 goalkeeper Odean Clarke who had breathing problems during training at the Exchacienda del Curmen field here yesterday. (Photo: Howard Walker)
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The match is expected to be approximately 70 minutes as the players try to adapt to the rarified air which is 2,000 feet above sea level.
The Jamaicans are encountering these conditions for the first time in their careers and had to be given regular breaks during training yesterday and a few had to be given oxygen by team physician, Dr Ivor O'Connor.
Head coach Wendell Downswell said the high-altitude training was part of the whole preparation and will serve them well entering the tournament itself.
"It was a tactical adaptation with four different exercises to see how they coped. We knew that such a tender age coming in a climactic condition like this... it would be hard-pressing on them," Downswell pointed out.
"We had a discussion with them and graded them from 1-3 and they gave us their honest opinion. But as they days progress they will get more acclimatised," Downswell noted.
Goalkeeper Odean Clarke and right-sided midfielder Troy Moo Penn did not adapt too well and had to be given oxygen.
Melvin Blair also had to be rested, while the rest of the team tried desperately to cope with the challenging conditions.
Downswell knows the conditions will affect the players psychologically, hence they had a rap after training with the players.
"It will not affect the whole selection process and I thought they coped fairly well for their tender ages. Individuals have different characteristics, therefore it will affect some more than others," Downswell suggested.
The Boyz will bow into action today without their inspirational captain Omar Holness, who will be arriving tomorrow after staying back to sit external exams.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1OsqqvAFO
HOWARD WALKER @ the MEN’S UNDER-17 WORLD CUP IN MEXICO
Friday, June 10, 2011
TOLUCA, Mexico — Jamaica Under-17s will tackle their counterparts from the Reforma Athletic Cub in the first of two practice games today at 6:00 pm (Jamaica time) as they heighten their preparation for the FIFA Championships which kicks off on June 18.
Reforma Athletic is an amateur club from Toluca which was formed in 1894. The game should provide a useful workout for the young Reggae Boyz who have struggled with the high altitude during training.
Dr Ivor O’Connor (left) administers oxygen to Jamaica U-17 goalkeeper Odean Clarke who had breathing problems during training at the Exchacienda del Curmen field here yesterday. (Photo: Howard Walker)
Dr Ivor O’Connor (left) administers oxygen to Jamaica U-17 goalkeeper Odean Clarke who had breathing problems during training at the Exchacienda del Curmen field here yesterday. (Photo: Howard Walker)#slideshowtoggler, #slideshowtoggler a, #slideshowtoggler img {filter:none !important;zoom:normal !important}
The match is expected to be approximately 70 minutes as the players try to adapt to the rarified air which is 2,000 feet above sea level.
The Jamaicans are encountering these conditions for the first time in their careers and had to be given regular breaks during training yesterday and a few had to be given oxygen by team physician, Dr Ivor O'Connor.
Head coach Wendell Downswell said the high-altitude training was part of the whole preparation and will serve them well entering the tournament itself.
"It was a tactical adaptation with four different exercises to see how they coped. We knew that such a tender age coming in a climactic condition like this... it would be hard-pressing on them," Downswell pointed out.
"We had a discussion with them and graded them from 1-3 and they gave us their honest opinion. But as they days progress they will get more acclimatised," Downswell noted.
Goalkeeper Odean Clarke and right-sided midfielder Troy Moo Penn did not adapt too well and had to be given oxygen.
Melvin Blair also had to be rested, while the rest of the team tried desperately to cope with the challenging conditions.
Downswell knows the conditions will affect the players psychologically, hence they had a rap after training with the players.
"It will not affect the whole selection process and I thought they coped fairly well for their tender ages. Individuals have different characteristics, therefore it will affect some more than others," Downswell suggested.
The Boyz will bow into action today without their inspirational captain Omar Holness, who will be arriving tomorrow after staying back to sit external exams.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...#ixzz1OsqqvAFO