De Oliveira WESTERN BUREAU:
THE coaching staff of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is moving to head off possible personel problems ahead of the start of final round play in both the 2002 World Cup qualifying series and the final playoff for CONCACAF Under 20 teams.
Following their topping of the semi-final round in Kingston, the Jamaican Under 20 team will take part in the tournament in Victoria, British Columbia on the west coast of Canada, starting on February 26, two days before the game against Trinidad and Tobago at the National Stadium.
National Technical Director Clovis de Oliveira told the Gleaner yesterday, however, that there should not be a problem as they were well prepared for both events.
De Oliveira said he would miss the first game of the tournament in Canada and remain here for the game against Trinidad but would fly out the next day to join the delegation in the North American country.
"We have a good system in place with good coaches on both levels and we will work things out OK," the Brazilian said.
He went on to say that he had every confidence in Under 20 head coach Wendell Downswell and national technical director for the youth programme, Patrick 'Jackie' Walters who will take charge of the team for the first game in Canada.
The situation concerning Shavar Thomas, captain of the Under 20 squad and a starting member of the World Cup team was still being worked on and he added that they had about two more weeks before making a final decision.
One of the factors that will help the JFF coaching staff decide, de Oliveira told the Gleaner, was the eligibility of another England based player, Paul Williams of Coventry City, also a sweeper.
If Williams who turns 30 in March and a former international for England at the Under 21 level, was eligible to represent Jamaica, the absence of Thomas would not be a major concern.
