Reggae Boyz..

Subject: Reggae Boyz.. Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:16 am

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz hope to shrug off looming questions about their defensive strength, including the puzzling absence of Veteran Ian Goodison and injury to Damion Stewart, when they battle El Salvador tonight in a friendly football international here.

Goodison, who was invited to training camp in Jamaica this week, failed to show after playing the second half of last weekend's 2-2 draw against Haiti in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was not selected for tonight's game.
Therefore, he will miss the 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Jamaica time) kickoff at RFK stadium, leaving Jamaica, already struggling to field experienced central defenders following the ejection of Claude Davis against Haiti and a groin strain picked up by Stewart this week, reviewing several options.
lack of match-fitness
Coach John Barnes said that Goodison's place was always in doubt, due to lack of match-fitness after missing the last few games for his English club, and he was "surprised" the defender had turned up for the Haiti game. However, Barnes is confident that tonight's replacements will be good enough.
"He (Goodison) has not been playing," Barnes said yesterday. "I had no intention of playing him in Fort Lauderdale, but things changed (with Davis's sending off). Him not being here is not a problem."
A spokesman for the Jamaica Football Federation explained yesterday that efforts to contact Goodison this week were unsuccessful, although the JFF was aware the defender returned to the island earlier in the week.
Dicoy Williams, who was not chosen for the Haiti game, has been drafted into the squad and will contend, with Adrian Reid, for a starting spot alongside Stewart - if he is fit enough to play - in Barnes's 4-4-2 formation, which was first shown against Haiti. That new scheme, however, will be subject to change based on Stewart's condition. Reid, along with two others in the current squad, played against El Salvador in a 0-0 draw last July in the Texas.
Jamaica's defensive unit
The uncertainty over Jamaica's defensive unit should be tested tonight by El Salvador, especially after a suspect showing against Haiti, where the Boyz were plagued by bad passing and marking. The Central Americans are coming off an impressive 3-1 win against Ecuador on Wednesday in California. Their coach Carlos de los Cobos, despite planning to rest star strikers Eliseo Quintanilla and Cristian Castillo at the start of tonight's game, will play Williams Reyes, who the coach claimed is "the best forward in El Salvador at the moment." Reyes may be joined by Rudis Corrales up front. De los Cobos will also look to showcase a number of other players with an eye on CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers next week and the Gold Cup in July.
Jamaica will look to a group of fairly inexperienced forwards for goals. Nicholas Addlery scored against Haiti, but El Salvador will be appearing in only his second senior international. Roland Dean, Keammar Daley and Navion Boyd make up the strike force, along with another newcomer Devon Hodges, the leading scorer in this season's Digicel Premier League. Hodges missed the Haiti game because he did not secure a United States visa in time.
Therefore, Jamaica will welcome back Jermaine Johnson, the attacking midfielder who missed the Haiti game due to suspension after being sent off against Nigeria in February. Jason Morrison and Richard Edwards should anchor the four-man midfield, supported possibly by Wolry Wolfe. Eric Vernon, Oraine Simpson and Michael Campbell are also options. Andre Campbell and Rafe Wolfe are the likely fullbacks.
"big, fast and physical team"
With El Salvador in the midst of World Cup qualifiers, de los Cobos said Jamaica's "big, fast and physical team" will offer a "good test" for the Cuscatlecos. Jamaica and El Salvador are also drawn in the same group for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and are set for another showdown on July 10 in Miami, Florida. Barnes said tonight's game will offer a chance to measure his Boyz against El Salvador, despite the absence of "10 to 11" players he expects to be in his Gold Cup squad.
"It will be interesting to see how we match up against their strongest team," he said.
Unlike last July, when the teams played in roasting Texas heat, tonight's temperatures should be in the 60s. Yesterday rain pelted the US capital.
Meanwhile, the game's organisers said they expect between "15,000 to 16,000" spectators to pile into the 50,000 capacity RFK stadium. Just like last July, the majority are expected to be El Salvador supporters. Backing for the Reggae Boyz has been tough to predict.
"It's very difficult," said promoter Elias Polio yesterday. "I don't know how much to expect from Jamaica."
Barnes, however, is expecting much improvement from his squad. He has stressed ball possession by his team during training this week. He has also expressed much belief in his squad.
"I have faith in the players," he said. "These boys have the quality."

Posts : 10 Join date : 2009-05-22

HOPE THEY WIN THEY NEED TO GAIN SOME MOMENTUM GOING INTO THE GOLD CUP TOURNAMENT

Subject: Re: Reggae Boyz.. Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:42 pm

what i told you the boyz no good and no local coach will never reap success for jamaica.mark my words.