HVFC international goalkeeper Dwayne Miller has been inspirational, deep-thinking even, from the Jamaican bench.
The Syrianska goalkeeper, who sustained a “whiplash-type injury” in the final group match of the CONCACAF Gold Cup against El Salvador, says he wants to see a programme that builds on the success of his Reggae Boyz team.
Miller warned against complacency setting in after the achievements of the team, starting with the triumph in the Caribbean Cup, the good showing in Copa America, and now the dream run in the Gold Cup.
He said with World Cup qualifiers just around the corner, the momentum must not diminish.
“It’s a big step (to be in the final of the Gold Cup) so far, but as I have said before, we have to continue growing, we can’t just sit back on this performance, as the World Cup qualifiers are coming up, so this can mean nothing if we don’t build on it,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Saturday, a day before his team faced Mexico in the final.
To win the Gold Cup would be, according to Miller, a source of great pride, for not only Jamaica’s football, but the country as a whole.
“It (winning Gold Cup) would be a great achievement seeing (the limited) resources that Jamaica has, compared to these teams in this competition… but the work continues and we have to show that we have potential and we just need to support the team and build it to the best of our abilities,” said the former Harbour View custodian.
But while Miller, 28, has been able to train with the other two goalkeepers Ryan Thompson and Andre Blake, his condition is not at the level of match readiness.
And the situation, he confesses, has hit home hard.
“Naturally I am very disappointed, but at the same time the team is doing well, and I am here giving my support in any way I can… I am just happy for the team, the country, and everyone that’s involved and I am happy the way the team is progressing at the moment,” he said.
“It was a tough situation to get this ‘twist neck’, I am not even sure what the medical term is, but it’s a sad situation, but that’s part of football, but it could have been worse… I just have to give God thanks,” Miller noted.
But while he is unable to play at the moment, the St Thomas native shared that he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else at this time.
“First of all it’s a great pleasure just representing my country and being a part of history, but just being here means so much and I am just grateful for the opportunity to even be here in the first place, and I am just overwhelmed and just outright grateful,” Miller said.
His injury — resulting from an El Salvador boot to his neck as he threw himself at the feet of the opposing player to prevent him from gaining possession in a dangerous area — is said to be progressing nicely.
“I am progressing pretty well but not as fast as I would like to, but I can feel improvement every day and that’s the most important thing for me right now.
“I have not really got a specific time frame (for full recovery) because everyone is different and heals differently, so it depends on me and the way I heal,” Miller noted.
Source: The Jamaica Observer