JAMAICA's Reggae Boyz aim to put another mile-post on the road to South Africa behind them this evening when they face old rivals Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors at the National Stadium, starting at 7:00.
Brimming with confidence after back-to-back friendly wins against El Salvador and Guatemala following a change of administration, the Boyz rallied for a 1-1 draw against highly-rated Costa Rica on February 6 when reunited with Road to France engineer, Brazilian coach Rene Simoes.
In true Simoes style, Jamaica have summoned their creme-de-la-créme from across the globe, barring captain Ricardo Gardner of Bolton Wanderers and Ricardo Fuller of Stoke City.
In what has been the Caribbean's biggest football rivalry for decades, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the only two English-speaking Caribbean teams to play at the World Cup, have laid claim to being the kingpins of the region's football despite the presence of Cuba and Haiti.
Tonight's clash will be another showdown for bragging rights as well as a measuring stick ahead of second round CONCACAF World Cup qualifying this summer when both teams are expected to face weaker teams, which participated in the first round
Differences between teams
Unlike Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago's squad mainly comprises local-based players.
Gone are the days when the Soca Warriors boasted the likes of Dwight Yorke, Arnold Dwarika, Russell Latapy and goalie Shaka Hislop.
Similar to Jamaica, whose World Cup 1998 squad aged, leading to a rebuilding period, Trinidad's post World Cup 2006 form has been patchy as the likes of Yorke have played on and off for the twin-island republic, at times engaging in disputes over money earned from the World Cup.
Whereas the Reggae Boyz have been coming into their own, Trinidad recently played to a goalless draw against Guadeloupe with the likes of Stern John, Densil Theobald and Sivio Sann, a result which was met with disbelief and shock in Port of Spain.
However, they rebounded by beating El Salvador 1-0 last Wednesday in Port of Spain, signalling they will be dangerous tonight.
Francisco Maturana, who recently took over the reins from Wim Rijsbergen, said he was impressed by just one player after the Guadeloupe draw.
"I can't know all the problems in one day, but I am sure of one or two now," he said, pointing to big Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. "The players did not acquit themselves and only played in parts," he added.
Former Col****ia boss, Maturana, was drafted after disappointing performances at both the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2007 Caribbean Cup.
Jones who has been making waves and scoring goals for Roy Keane's Sunderland in the Premier League will, however, not be here for today's match as he is said to be sick.
The Boyz will be tough nuts to crack at home. Simoes has recalled the 'Golden Boy', Deon Burton, summoning him from Sheffield Wednesday, where he recently hit top form.
With the likes of Marlon King, Luton Shelton and the impressive Demar Phillips all back in town, joining a hyped bunch of local stars, fresh off a triumphant Brazilian tour, the Trinidadians will be hard-pressed to notch their first win on Jamaican soil.
The Trinidadians are ranked 93, 10 places higher than Jamaica on FIFA's latest standings but that won't count this evening.
In their last 11 games, Jamaica have won six and must start favourites to make it seven from 12.
Jamaican squad: Marlon King - Wigan FC, Luton Shelton - Sheffield United, England; Demar Phillips - Sheffield United, England; Deon Burton - Sheffield Wednesday, England; Omar Daley - Bradford FC, England; Donovan Ricketts - Bradford FC; Khari Stephenson - AIKS, Sweden; Demar Stewart - Royal White Star, Belgium; Oneil Thompson - Nottoden FC - Norway; Jamal Campbell-Ryce - Barnsley, England; Tyrone Marshall - Toronto FC, MLS; Allien Whittaker, JDF; Dwayne Kerr, Portmore United; Christopher Jackson, Tivoli Gardens; Obrien Woodbine, Reno;
Trinidad & Tobago squad: Marvin Phillip - W.Connection; Kern Cupid - Charleston Battery US; Makan Hislop - United Petrotrin; Keyeno Thomas - Joe Public F.C.; Keston Williams - Defence Force; Aurtis Whitley - W.Connection; Keon Daniel - United Petrotrin; Akeem Adams - National Under-20 T&T; Jamal Gay - National Under-20 T&T; Kerry Baptiste - Joe Public FC; Khaleem Hyland - (San Juan Jabloteh); Randi Patterson - Charleston Battery US; Daryl Roberts - Sparta FC; Osei Telesford - Chicago Fire; Jan Michael Williams - Sheffield Utd; Colin Samuel - Toronto FC.
kalongi said
15:26 03/26 2008
need to find it on tv somewhere
i need to see it
up2 said
15:28 03/26 2008
jus hope mi can watch it cuz mi nuh feel fi go a stadium again
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz firm favourites to beat T&T's Soca Warriors
Left: Trinidad & Tobago's captain Aurtis Whitley Right: Jamaica's Marlon King - file photos
JAMAICA's Reggae Boyz aim to put another mile-post on the road to South Africa behind them this evening when they face old rivals Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors at the National Stadium, starting at 7:00.
Brimming with confidence after back-to-back friendly wins against El Salvador and Guatemala following a change of administration, the Boyz rallied for a 1-1 draw against highly-rated Costa Rica on February 6 when reunited with Road to France engineer, Brazilian coach Rene Simoes.
In true Simoes style, Jamaica have summoned their creme-de-la-créme from across the globe, barring captain Ricardo Gardner of Bolton Wanderers and Ricardo Fuller of Stoke City.
In what has been the Caribbean's biggest football rivalry for decades, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the only two English-speaking Caribbean teams to play at the World Cup, have laid claim to being the kingpins of the region's football despite the presence of Cuba and Haiti.
Tonight's clash will be another showdown for bragging rights as well as a measuring stick ahead of second round CONCACAF World Cup qualifying this summer when both teams are expected to face weaker teams, which participated in the first round
Unlike Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago's squad mainly comprises local-based players.
Gone are the days when the Soca Warriors boasted the likes of Dwight Yorke, Arnold Dwarika, Russell Latapy and goalie Shaka Hislop.
Similar to Jamaica, whose World Cup 1998 squad aged, leading to a rebuilding period, Trinidad's post World Cup 2006 form has been patchy as the likes of Yorke have played on and off for the twin-island republic, at times engaging in disputes over money earned from the World Cup.
Whereas the Reggae Boyz have been coming into their own, Trinidad recently played to a goalless draw against Guadeloupe with the likes of Stern John, Densil Theobald and Sivio Sann, a result which was met with disbelief and shock in Port of Spain.
However, they rebounded by beating El Salvador 1-0 last Wednesday in Port of Spain, signalling they will be dangerous tonight.
Francisco Maturana, who recently took over the reins from Wim Rijsbergen, said he was impressed by just one player after the Guadeloupe draw.
"I can't know all the problems in one day, but I am sure of one or two now," he said, pointing to big Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. "The players did not acquit themselves and only played in parts," he added.
Former Col****ia boss, Maturana, was drafted after disappointing performances at both the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2007 Caribbean Cup.
Jones who has been making waves and scoring goals for Roy Keane's Sunderland in the Premier League will, however, not be here for today's match as he is said to be sick.
The Boyz will be tough nuts to crack at home. Simoes has recalled the 'Golden Boy', Deon Burton, summoning him from Sheffield Wednesday, where he recently hit top form.
With the likes of Marlon King, Luton Shelton and the impressive Demar Phillips all back in town, joining a hyped bunch of local stars, fresh off a triumphant Brazilian tour, the Trinidadians will be hard-pressed to notch their first win on Jamaican soil.
The Trinidadians are ranked 93, 10 places higher than Jamaica on FIFA's latest standings but that won't count this evening.
In their last 11 games, Jamaica have won six and must start favourites to make it seven from 12.
Jamaican squad: Marlon King - Wigan FC, Luton Shelton - Sheffield United, England; Demar Phillips - Sheffield United, England; Deon Burton - Sheffield Wednesday, England; Omar Daley - Bradford FC, England; Donovan Ricketts - Bradford FC; Khari Stephenson - AIKS, Sweden; Demar Stewart - Royal White Star, Belgium; Oneil Thompson - Nottoden FC - Norway; Jamal Campbell-Ryce - Barnsley, England; Tyrone Marshall - Toronto FC, MLS; Allien Whittaker, JDF; Dwayne Kerr, Portmore United; Christopher Jackson, Tivoli Gardens; Obrien Woodbine, Reno;
Adrian Reid, Portmore United; Rudolph Austin, Portmore United; Keniel Moodie, Seba; Ricardo Cousins, Portmore United; Hugh Howell, Waterhouse; Wolry Wolfe, Portmore United; Kemar Daley, Meadhaven; James Thomas, Portmore United;
Christopher Harvey, Harbour View.
Trinidad & Tobago squad: Marvin Phillip - W.Connection; Kern Cupid - Charleston Battery US; Makan Hislop - United Petrotrin; Keyeno Thomas - Joe Public F.C.; Keston Williams - Defence Force; Aurtis Whitley - W.Connection; Keon Daniel - United Petrotrin; Akeem Adams - National Under-20 T&T; Jamal Gay - National Under-20 T&T; Kerry Baptiste - Joe Public FC; Khaleem Hyland - (San Juan Jabloteh); Randi Patterson - Charleston Battery US; Daryl Roberts - Sparta FC; Osei Telesford - Chicago Fire; Jan Michael Williams - Sheffield Utd; Colin Samuel - Toronto FC.