Reggae Boyz play Japan on Election Day (Oct.16)

When Jamaicans go to the polls on October 16, to determine which government will lead them for the next five years, the Reggae Boyz will be in Tokyo testing their skills against Asian giants, Japan.

The Friendly International, which was arranged long before the announcement of the date of the local General Elections, will pit two teams which played in the same Group at the preliminary stage of the 1998 World Cup in France.

Both were eliminated at the preliminary stage, but Jamaica had the satisfaction of beating Japan 2-1 with goals from midfielder Theodore Whitmore.

In a subsequent game played at the King Hassan Cup in Morocco in 2000, Japan crushed the Reggae Boyz 4-0.

Japan co-hosted the last World Cup (with Korea) with Jamaica being a non-qualifier.

Both teams will have much to prove on this occasion, as they are being led by new coaches; Japan by Brazilian Zico, and Jamaica by Carl Brown, who was assistant to then coach Rene Simoes in 1998. Jamaica will be represented by a strong squad of players drawn mainly from the English Leagues and the North American MLS.

Under-17 prepare for Antigua and Barbuda

After comfortably knocking off St Kitts and Nevis 5-1 and 2-1, Jamaica’s Under-17 footballers returned to camp on Wednesday, (Oct 2), to prepare for their two-game CFU Qualifying series against Antigua and Barbuda. Jamaica will play host on Sunday, October 6, and then play away on October 20.

The winner advances to the CFU playoff final against either Haiti or the Dominican Republic.

Jamaica qualified for the World Under-17 Finals in New Zealand in 1999.

Reggae Girlz to play Trinidad and Tobago

Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz, who qualified for the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup with victories over Puerto Rico and eventual qualifiers Haiti, will wind up their preparation for the prestigious tournament with a pair of Friendly Internationals against Trinidad and Tobago in that country on October 9 and 11.

Jamaica are drawn in Group Two alongside Canada, Costa Rica and Haiti. 

Under-20 out of World Youth Champs hunt

Jamaica’s Under-20 footballers dropped out of the race for a spot in next years World Youth Championship after the lost to Haiti 1-2 on aggregate, home and away.

After surprisingly losing 1-2 to the Haitians in Kingston on September 15, they played a little better but drew 0-0 with the hosts in Port Au Prince on September 29.

Jamaica qualified for the last World Youth Championship in Argentina in 2001.

Storm wreak havoc on football

Two tropical storms in two weeks (Isadore and Lili) have thrown Jamaica’s Wray and Nephew Premier League out of schedule, with three sets of games being postponed.

The Competitions Committee of the JFF will meet shortly to review the postponed fixtures.

The League, which started on September 8^th with 12 teams, promises to be one of the most exciting and competitive ever. Arnett Gardens, who participated in the CONCACAF Club championship last year, are the defending champions.

Harbour View and Arnett Gardens for Champions Cup. 

Two Jamaican clubs, Harbour View FC and Arnett Gardens FC, will play in the CFU Champions Cup 2003, which begins with Preliminary Rounds on October 13 and 27.

Harbour View will play home and away to George Town Sports Club (Cayman Islands), on the above dates, with the winner advancing to second round Group Two to be hosted by W Connection in Trinidad from December 11-15.

Reigning National Champions, Arnett Gardens, will host Group A of the second round comprising Club Franciscain, Voilette Athletic Club and VSADC from December 4-8.

The winner of each Group advances to the CONCACAF Round of Sixteen (16).

 Jamaica Football Federation

 Reggae Boyz Supporterz Club, Inc.