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U-23s topple H'View 2-0
.but tough Downswell demands improvement
Livingston Scott, Observer staff reporter
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Harbour View's Dicoy Williams (right) and Jamaica U-23s' Edward Campbell battle for possession during their friendly match at Harbour View yesterday. The U-23s won 2-0. (Photo: Karl McLarty)
TWO brilliant free kicks - two minutes apart from John-Ross Doyley and Ricardo Cousins - carried Jamaica's Under-23s to a 2-0 win over Harbour View in a friendly match at Harbour View Mini-Stadium yesterday.
However, despite the victory, coach Wendell Downswell had some concerns as the team returned to camp for their second week of training.
The former technical director said the team needs to improve their ability to hold possession as this could play a major role in their quest to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
"There is some indiscipline, especially in regard to ball possession and what we try to work on at the international level, which is not to lose the ball in the defensive and middle third," Downswell said.
".... I have to come on a bit harsh with them when as it relates to that because we want them to develop that level of discipline and get that understanding, especially between the two attacking midfielders and the strikers.
"So far I think the back of the team is relatively good, along with the two central midfielders. I think they have a good understanding. But what we need to sort out is the understanding between the two attacking midfielders," he explained.
However, the former national player noted that with a number of the players just joining the squad, he is hoping to see some improvement at the end of this week's camp.
"The rest of sessions that we have we're going to place a lot of emphasis on that (possession), but having scored two goals against Harbour View, especially from set pieces, was good," Downswell added.
With 15 minutes to go after an evenly-contested game, Doyley gave the young Reggae Boyz the lead with a curling free-kick from 25 yards.
Minutes later, from about 30 yards and further to the right, Doyley looked set to attempt the brace; however, it was Cousins who blasted a vicious shot with the outside of the boot past the Harbour View goalkeeper.
"It was... an excellent exercise and a good test from Harbour View. The game was played in a competitive spirit and overall I was satisfied," Downswell continued.
"But we will have to tighten up our game although we scored two goals. Both players were a part of the Under-20s and they have an understanding. But for this team we will have to continue working on our set pieces and fine-tune our game and once we do that, it will put us in good stead to do well," he said.
Downswell added that he continues to be impressed by the physical condition of his players: "Most of them were in pre-season training, so their physical capacity is great; it's just for us to get them tactically aware and disciplined."
Also, despite a knock to the shoulder, the coach declared Cousins to be 'all right' after he came off injured.
The National Under-23 team is preparing for their Caribbean group Olympic qualifying tournament which kicks off later this month.
.but tough Downswell demands improvement
Livingston Scott, Observer staff reporter
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Harbour View's Dicoy Williams (right) and Jamaica U-23s' Edward Campbell battle for possession during their friendly match at Harbour View yesterday. The U-23s won 2-0. (Photo: Karl McLarty)TWO brilliant free kicks - two minutes apart from John-Ross Doyley and Ricardo Cousins - carried Jamaica's Under-23s to a 2-0 win over Harbour View in a friendly match at Harbour View Mini-Stadium yesterday.
However, despite the victory, coach Wendell Downswell had some concerns as the team returned to camp for their second week of training.
The former technical director said the team needs to improve their ability to hold possession as this could play a major role in their quest to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
"There is some indiscipline, especially in regard to ball possession and what we try to work on at the international level, which is not to lose the ball in the defensive and middle third," Downswell said.
".... I have to come on a bit harsh with them when as it relates to that because we want them to develop that level of discipline and get that understanding, especially between the two attacking midfielders and the strikers.
"So far I think the back of the team is relatively good, along with the two central midfielders. I think they have a good understanding. But what we need to sort out is the understanding between the two attacking midfielders," he explained.
However, the former national player noted that with a number of the players just joining the squad, he is hoping to see some improvement at the end of this week's camp.
"The rest of sessions that we have we're going to place a lot of emphasis on that (possession), but having scored two goals against Harbour View, especially from set pieces, was good," Downswell added.
With 15 minutes to go after an evenly-contested game, Doyley gave the young Reggae Boyz the lead with a curling free-kick from 25 yards.
Minutes later, from about 30 yards and further to the right, Doyley looked set to attempt the brace; however, it was Cousins who blasted a vicious shot with the outside of the boot past the Harbour View goalkeeper.
"It was... an excellent exercise and a good test from Harbour View. The game was played in a competitive spirit and overall I was satisfied," Downswell continued.
"But we will have to tighten up our game although we scored two goals. Both players were a part of the Under-20s and they have an understanding. But for this team we will have to continue working on our set pieces and fine-tune our game and once we do that, it will put us in good stead to do well," he said.
Downswell added that he continues to be impressed by the physical condition of his players: "Most of them were in pre-season training, so their physical capacity is great; it's just for us to get them tactically aware and disciplined."
Also, despite a knock to the shoulder, the coach declared Cousins to be 'all right' after he came off injured.
The National Under-23 team is preparing for their Caribbean group Olympic qualifying tournament which kicks off later this month.
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