Captain, Richard Edwards, Dicoy Williams, Kavin Bryan and new 19 year old sensation Oniel Fisher, are all selected in the traveling squad to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago for Wednesdays international friendly game.
Boyz Will Win – Burrell
BURRELL
André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter
As Jamaica’s 19-man Reggae Boyz squad gets ready to depart the island later this afternoon for Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Captain Horace Burrell, is expecting his team to get the better of their regional arch-rivals on their own turf.
Speaking to The Gleaner last night, Burrell was extremely confident when asked to weigh the team’s chances in the twin-island republic, as both teams get ready for their friendly international on Wednesday.
“I think that we have enough ammunition in our arsenal to take care of the Trinidadians in Port of Spain,” said the captain.
“I’m expecting this to be a keenly contested game. It’s not going to be easy as when both teams play each other it’s normally a difficult game and I’m expecting no less this time around,” he added. “But I believe our players are focused and are aware of the task at hand and I’m expecting a good performance from them.”
Long-term plans
Burrell was also keen to highlight the importance of this encounter to the long-term plans of his administration with the Digicel Caribbean Cup and World Cup qualifications just around the corner.
“This game is very important for us to fine-tune preparations first of all for the Digicel Caribbean Cup to be held later this year and beyond,” Burrell noted. “We recognised the need to get back to where we are expected to be in terms of Caribbean and CONCACAF football and this is a step in that direction.”
Meanwhile, the squad, which is scheduled to leave the island shortly after 2 p.m, features three first-time senior team invitees; Devon Williams (Real Mona/St Georges), Oneil Fisher (Harbour View/St Georges) and Andre Blake (Sporting Central). The trio were all part of national Under-21 squad, which had been preparing for the Central American and Caribbean Games in July.
Six overseas-based players
The squad is highlighted by the inclusion of six overseas-based players – Shavar Thomas (Kansas City Wizards), Ryan Johnson (San Jose Earthquakes), Dane Richards (New York Red Bulls), Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy), Rudolph Austin (SK Brann) and Eric Vernan (Nybergsund).
Norway-based left-sided utility player, Demar Phillips, was also invited but could not make the trip after he picked up an injury two Sundays ago.
Jamaica squad: Jermaine Taylor, Dicoy Williams, Richard Edwards, Adrian Reid, Devon Williams, Kavin Bryan, Oniel Fisher, Kenardo Forbes, Ricardo Cousins, Troy Smith, Devon Hodges, Mario Swaby, Andre Blake, Shavar Thomas, Ryan Johnson, Dane Richards, Donovan Ricketts, Rodolph Austin and Eric Vernan.