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International Week March 2013

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Tgrggg Tyyki Yttghj

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Oi Toney why didnt you say Beckford is gonna make his Jamaica Debut this weekend?

 

 

Backing them for Rio now?

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Mans playing for JA yeah

 

Deffo going Rio!

 

Quote me

 

 

Could easily do it...

 

 

 

FOUR GOALS in five games from Deon Burton in Jamaica’s qualifying campaign more than 15 years ago ensured that the Caribbean nation booked their place at France 1998.

But since their debut World Cup appearance, Jamaica have largely been in an international wilderness, with three Caribbean Cup trophies and a Pan-American Games silver medal in 2007 being their only moments of acclaim.

However, fast forward to the present and the Reggae Boyz find themselves in an ideal position to make their sophomore World Cup appearance in Brazil next year.

Jamaica are currently in the fourth round of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) World Cup qualifying campaign and, with an encouraging display during their away draw against Mexico last month under their belts, there are signs that they could make a genuine challenge for a second World Cup appearance.

The second game of their qualifying phase will be against Panama on March 22 and manager Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore – who famously scored two goals against Japan in Jamaica’s sole World Cup victory – has selected eight English-born players in the 24-man squad compared to the seven English-born footballers who were in the France 98 line-up.

Watford defender Lloyd Doyley is the latest English-born player to be called up to Whitmore’s squad, while Huddersfield Town striker Jermaine Beckford remains the only other uncapped player.

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COMEBACK KID: McAnuff returned to the Reggae Boyz after a 10-year absence

Reading captain Jobi McAnuff returned to the Reggae Boyz for the Mexico clash, more than 10 years after what was then his only Jamaica appearance in 2002.

Marvin Elliott, Adrian Mariappa, Nyron Nosworthy, Gareth McCleary and Theo Robinson, who were all born and play in England, are also relative newcomers to the team but have undoubtedly helped to strengthen Whitmore’s side.

But that is not to say that the Jamaican-born players are pale in comparison to their English counterparts. Several squad members have successfully plied their trade in Europe for a number of years and none more so than free agent Ricardo Gardner.

The 34-year-old, who played for Championship club Bolton Wanderers for 14 years, last featured for Jamaica in December and, should he be able to find a club to prove his form, Gardner would be expected to reappear in the side.

But while he is arguably the most recognisable player due to his lengthy exposure to the Premier League, striker Luton Shelton – who plays for Turkish team Karabukspor – is another with plenty of European experience. The 27-year-old has had spells at Sheffield United and at clubs in Sweden and Norway and scored 35 goals in 71 international appearances.

j3.jpg

ALL SMILES: Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (left) alongside manager ‘Tappa’ Whitmore

Others to acclimatise to European football include the midfield trio of Rodolph Austin, Omar Daley and Jermaine Johnson, who play for Leeds United, Motherwell in Scotland and Sheffield Wednesday. All three of them have made more than 50 appearances for their country, so there are a large number of players in the squad who know what it takes to compete at the highest level of club football.

If Jamaica were to qualify for Brazil 2014, then there is a possibility that more players from England could be added to the team. Newcastle United defender Danny Simpson has been mentioned in the past as possibly playing for Jamaica while Birmingham City prospect Ravel Morrison has been named as another who could switch his international allegiance.

But even with the additions to the side, qualifying for next year’s World Cup will be no easy task. Jamaica’s CONCACAF group contains Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and USA, all of whom are ranked higher than Jamaica in the world rankings and only the first three nations are guaranteed World Cup qualification places.

The influx of English players was a key factor that helped propel Rene Simoes’ Reggae Boyz into the 1998 World Cup and an amalgamation of both nations might be their best chance of them once again appearing at football’s most prestigious global tournament.

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wowzerssssss

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time_bomb Newbie

time_bomb

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Why is an Ecuadorian referee allowed to take charge of a match that has consequences for Ecuador?

 

 

I've been following the South American qualifiers closely and the refereeing is abysmal. 

 

Is it the same in Asia/Africa?

 

yes african refereeing is atrocious.

 

/

 

duno why they dont have pre-qualification for these smaller nations

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