OGGED by the demands of anxious fans, who are yet to taste victory in two games since his return as technical director, Brazilian Rene Simoes and the Reggae Boyz are gunning for an impressive victory when they face St. Vincent and the Grenadines in a friendly international at the National Stadium this evening, starting at 7 p.m.
Simoes, who led Jamaica to their historic qualification for the 1998 World Cup, has summoned what he believes is his strongest squad to face St. Vincent, 12 days before the Reggae Boyz open their South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign against Caribbean minnows The Bahamas at the stadium.
Jamaica are set to face the Bahamas in return action three days later, June 18, at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.
As is customary, the Brazilian has kept his match-day squad close to his chest, leaving pundits to guess whether any of the four new players in a 29-man squad, which includes 21 overseas-based players, will make the final cut for this evening's game.
SIMOES' MAIN FOCUS
According to Simoes his main focus now is "to reshape the team for the World Cup." Simoes, a tactician, who leaves nothing to chance, has hinted he will be playing his World Cup 1998 formation, 5-3-2, featuring a sweeper, two stoppers, overlapping wingbacks, a midfield trio and two forwards.
Pundits are watching, more than anything else, the midfield make-up, considering the recall of veteran Andy 'The B****er' Williams, who returns from a self-imposed, two-year international exile to join four new faces on the team - Omar Cummings of the Colorado Rapids in the United States Major League Soccer, Lee Williamson of Watford in England, Simon Ford of Kilmarnock in Scotland and Reno's Evan Taylor.
Also earning a recall to the national squad are Luton Town midfielder Richard Langley, whereas Ricardo Gardner returns from injury to captain the team.
Since returning to Jamaica, Simoes has presided over two draws, a 1-1 stalemate against Costa Rica, followed by a disappointing 2-2 result with Trinidad and Tobago after leading 2-0 in the first-half.
Simoes apologised for the 2-2 draw, saying he should be blamed and not the Boyz after making multiple substitutions, bringing on local players while the team was still ahead.
Only eight local players, have been included in the squad, which has notable omissions and questionable inclusions.
'Stew Peas' OUT
Defender Damion 'Stew Peas' Stewart has been excluded from the overseas-based players called whereas Reno's Evan Taylor got the local nod over the proven Jermaine Hue.
Meanwhile, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are aiming at another upset after a 2-1 win over Jamaica in Caribbean Cup qualifying action at 'The Office' two years ago.
St. Vincent, who fancy themselves as being on par with traditional Caribbean powers Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti, also earned a first-round bye are using the friendly to help in their preparation for their World Cup qualifying opener against Canada on June 15.
Last time out, in the qualifiers for Germany 2006, St. Vincent were impressive, beating Nicaragua to reach the first group stage. They afterwards beat St. Kitts and Nevis twice, drew with Trinidad and Tobago on two occasions before being outclassed by Mexico.
St. Vincent have a mix of overseas professionals and local players. They lost their last two matches, 2-0 against Barbados on March 13 and 2-1 to Grenada on February 10, both games at home.
Without 'EZ'
They are without former captain Ezra 'EZ' Hendrickson but boast Melvin Andrews in goal.
Defender Wesley Charles of Galway United in the Republic of Ireland will partner wingback Wesley John of Felgueiras, who plays in Portugal's second division.
Malaysia-based Cornelius Bernard Huggins will man defence against Jamaica's skilful forwards, whereas Marlon Alex James and Shendel Samuel will strike with the help of playmaker Jamal Ballantyne.
They are coached by England's Stewart Hall.
JAMAICA (from): Donovan Ricketts (unattached), Shawn Sawyers (Portmore United), Tyrone Marshall (Toronto FC, Canada), Demar Stewart (Chendu FC, China), Ian Goodison (Tranmere, England), Richard Langley (Luton Town, England), Lee Williamson (Watford, England), Oneil Thompson (Nottonden, Norway), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Barnsley, England), Omar Daley (Bradford, England), Demar Phillips (Stoke City, England), Ricardo Gardner (Bolton, England), Jermaine Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Luton Shelton (Sheffield, United, England), Marlon King (Wigan, England), Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City, England), Obrien Woodbine (Reno) Claude Davis (Derby County, England), Rudolph Austin (Port-more United), Keneil Moodie (Seba), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids, U.S.), Andy Williams (Real Salt Lake, U.S.), Adrian Reid (Portmore United), Simon Ford (Kilmarnock, Scotland), Deon Burton (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Dwayne Miller (Harbour View), Evan Taylor (Reno), Jermaine Taylor (Harbour View) and Fabian Taylor (Nottonden, Norway
Simoes, who led Jamaica to their historic qualification for the 1998 World Cup, has summoned what he believes is his strongest squad to face St. Vincent, 12 days before the Reggae Boyz open their South Africa 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign against Caribbean minnows The Bahamas at the stadium.
Jamaica are set to face the Bahamas in return action three days later, June 18, at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.
As is customary, the Brazilian has kept his match-day squad close to his chest, leaving pundits to guess whether any of the four new players in a 29-man squad, which includes 21 overseas-based players, will make the final cut for this evening's game.
According to Simoes his main focus now is "to reshape the team for the World Cup." Simoes, a tactician, who leaves nothing to chance, has hinted he will be playing his World Cup 1998 formation, 5-3-2, featuring a sweeper, two stoppers, overlapping wingbacks, a midfield trio and two forwards.
Pundits are watching, more than anything else, the midfield make-up, considering the recall of veteran Andy 'The B****er' Williams, who returns from a self-imposed, two-year international exile to join four new faces on the team - Omar Cummings of the Colorado Rapids in the United States Major League Soccer, Lee Williamson of Watford in England, Simon Ford of Kilmarnock in Scotland and Reno's Evan Taylor.
Also earning a recall to the national squad are Luton Town midfielder Richard Langley, whereas Ricardo Gardner returns from injury to captain the team.
Since returning to Jamaica, Simoes has presided over two draws, a 1-1 stalemate against Costa Rica, followed by a disappointing 2-2 result with Trinidad and Tobago after leading 2-0 in the first-half.
Simoes apologised for the 2-2 draw, saying he should be blamed and not the Boyz after making multiple substitutions, bringing on local players while the team was still ahead.
Only eight local players, have been included in the squad, which has notable omissions and questionable inclusions.
Defender Damion 'Stew Peas' Stewart has been excluded from the overseas-based players called whereas Reno's Evan Taylor got the local nod over the proven Jermaine Hue.
Meanwhile, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are aiming at another upset after a 2-1 win over Jamaica in Caribbean Cup qualifying action at 'The Office' two years ago.
St. Vincent, who fancy themselves as being on par with traditional Caribbean powers Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti, also earned a first-round bye are using the friendly to help in their preparation for their World Cup qualifying opener against Canada on June 15.
Last time out, in the qualifiers for Germany 2006, St. Vincent were impressive, beating Nicaragua to reach the first group stage. They afterwards beat St. Kitts and Nevis twice, drew with Trinidad and Tobago on two occasions before being outclassed by Mexico.
St. Vincent have a mix of overseas professionals and local players. They lost their last two matches, 2-0 against Barbados on March 13 and 2-1 to Grenada on February 10, both games at home.
They are without former captain Ezra 'EZ' Hendrickson but boast Melvin Andrews in goal.
Defender Wesley Charles of Galway United in the Republic of Ireland will partner wingback Wesley John of Felgueiras, who plays in Portugal's second division.
Malaysia-based Cornelius Bernard Huggins will man defence against Jamaica's skilful forwards, whereas Marlon Alex James and Shendel Samuel will strike with the help of playmaker Jamal Ballantyne.
They are coached by England's Stewart Hall.
JAMAICA (from): Donovan Ricketts (unattached), Shawn Sawyers (Portmore United), Tyrone Marshall (Toronto FC, Canada), Demar Stewart (Chendu FC, China), Ian Goodison (Tranmere, England), Richard Langley (Luton Town, England), Lee Williamson (Watford, England), Oneil Thompson (Nottonden, Norway), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Barnsley, England), Omar Daley (Bradford, England), Demar Phillips (Stoke City, England), Ricardo Gardner (Bolton, England), Jermaine Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Luton Shelton (Sheffield, United, England), Marlon King (Wigan, England), Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City, England), Obrien Woodbine (Reno) Claude Davis (Derby County, England), Rudolph Austin (Port-more United), Keneil Moodie (Seba), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids, U.S.), Andy Williams (Real Salt Lake, U.S.), Adrian Reid (Portmore United), Simon Ford (Kilmarnock, Scotland), Deon Burton (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Dwayne Miller (Harbour View), Evan Taylor (Reno), Jermaine Taylor (Harbour View) and Fabian Taylor (Nottonden, Norway