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Reggae Boyz book friendly dates with Switzerland, Barbados, Grenada
BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sport Editor
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
(JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell
JAMAICA’S Reggae Boyz have snatched yet another high-profile friendly international.
In the latest fixture, the Jamaicans have set a date with Brazil 2014 World Cup-bound Switzerland at Lucerne on May 30, nine days before they engage former World Cup champions France in another in Lille. Kick-off is 8:30 pm (Swiss time).
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell said weeks of negotiation between himself and his Swiss counterpart culminated yesterday with the formalisation of the match.
“We are very happy that we have been able to secure this game for the Boyz, as we as a federation aim to keep the momentum of providing high-quality friendly matches as we prepare for Russia 2018,” he said.
Captain Burrell, who spoke to the Jamaica Observer enroute to Switzerland for FIFA meetings, said he will use the opportunity to sit with his Swiss counterparts “to tie up us some key elements” of the arrangement.
Switzerland, currently ranked eighth by FIFA, will contest Group E of Brazil 2014 World Cup Finals.
They also have France, Ecuador and CONCACAF representative, Honduras. Jamaica and Switzerland last met in a friendly international at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale where the Europeans ran out 2-0 winners.
Captain Burrell added that the JFF has also secured practice matches against Caribbean rivals Barbados (ranked 166th) and Grenada (134th) away on March 2 and March 5, respectively.
During the tour of the Caribbean, the JFF boss is also looking to get a game in against St Lucia (146th). “We are yet to finalise that one as we are having difficulties getting flights because the games are being played right around Carnival time... so we may have to break up the team in small groups to make it all possible,” Captain Burrell said.
“These games against our Caribbean neighbours are also important as they provide vital preparation ahead of the Caribbean Cup due to be played in November this year,” added the CONCACAF vice-president.
“We intend to play as many friendly games as possible against the big teams and the small ones...we want to give coach (Winfried) Schaefer every opportunity to examine his pool of players in a variety of match situations.
“We missed our chance of qualifying for Brazil 2014, and in looking back, we have made mistakes and we do not intend to repeat those as we set our goals and plans geared at going to Russia.”
Jamaica, who failed miserably in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign, are currently ranked 81st by FIFA.
Following an anxious wait, the Boyz German coach Schaefer only recently agreed in principle to lead the Russia 2014 charge after his previous arrangement with the JFF had expired at the end of November last year.
Reggae Boyz book friendly dates with Switzerland, Barbados, Grenada
BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sport Editor
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
(JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell
JAMAICA’S Reggae Boyz have snatched yet another high-profile friendly international.
In the latest fixture, the Jamaicans have set a date with Brazil 2014 World Cup-bound Switzerland at Lucerne on May 30, nine days before they engage former World Cup champions France in another in Lille. Kick-off is 8:30 pm (Swiss time).
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell said weeks of negotiation between himself and his Swiss counterpart culminated yesterday with the formalisation of the match.
“We are very happy that we have been able to secure this game for the Boyz, as we as a federation aim to keep the momentum of providing high-quality friendly matches as we prepare for Russia 2018,” he said.
Captain Burrell, who spoke to the Jamaica Observer enroute to Switzerland for FIFA meetings, said he will use the opportunity to sit with his Swiss counterparts “to tie up us some key elements” of the arrangement.
Switzerland, currently ranked eighth by FIFA, will contest Group E of Brazil 2014 World Cup Finals.
They also have France, Ecuador and CONCACAF representative, Honduras. Jamaica and Switzerland last met in a friendly international at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale where the Europeans ran out 2-0 winners.
Captain Burrell added that the JFF has also secured practice matches against Caribbean rivals Barbados (ranked 166th) and Grenada (134th) away on March 2 and March 5, respectively.
During the tour of the Caribbean, the JFF boss is also looking to get a game in against St Lucia (146th). “We are yet to finalise that one as we are having difficulties getting flights because the games are being played right around Carnival time... so we may have to break up the team in small groups to make it all possible,” Captain Burrell said.
“These games against our Caribbean neighbours are also important as they provide vital preparation ahead of the Caribbean Cup due to be played in November this year,” added the CONCACAF vice-president.
“We intend to play as many friendly games as possible against the big teams and the small ones...we want to give coach (Winfried) Schaefer every opportunity to examine his pool of players in a variety of match situations.
“We missed our chance of qualifying for Brazil 2014, and in looking back, we have made mistakes and we do not intend to repeat those as we set our goals and plans geared at going to Russia.”
Jamaica, who failed miserably in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign, are currently ranked 81st by FIFA.
Following an anxious wait, the Boyz German coach Schaefer only recently agreed in principle to lead the Russia 2014 charge after his previous arrangement with the JFF had expired at the end of November last year.
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