Football fever

Goalkeeper Leon Gordon (left), who is expected to make his debut for Jamaica today, tries to beat midfielder Jamie Lawrence during practice yesterday. The team was involved in a loosening-up exercise at the National Stadium ahead of today's World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago which starts at 1:00 p.m. - Michael Sloley

By Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor

THE FOOTBALL frenzy which gripped Jamaica in the lead up to France '98 has returned.

A capacity crowd in excess of 35,000 is expected to descend on the National Stadium from as early as 9 a.m. for the 1:00 p.m. kick off of today's big CONCACAF World Cup final round qualifier between Caribbean arch rivals Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Yesterday, as the national fervour intensified, vendors did a thriving business darting in and out of traffic in Half-Way Tree and Cross Roads selling Jamaica flags and yellow bandannas.

Tickets, which went on sale on Sunday morning in New Kingston, have been gobbled up in less than two days and the National Stadium will be awash with yellow this afternoon.

The National Stadium police were last night advising football fans to arrange car pools or take taxi cabs to the game as getting parking space close to the National Stadium would be difficult.

"A church service will start inside the National Arena at 9:00 a.m. and this is expected to go on until 10:00 p.m. Most of the parking areas close to the Arena and adjacent to the Stadium West football field will therefore be taken up by the churchgoers," a constable at the Stadium Police said last night.

Both teams went through final preparations at the National Stadium yesterday but will delay the naming of their starting 11s until just before kick off.

Clovis de Oliveira, technical director of the Reggae Boyz, said the players were ready for the challenge.

"We are prepared and very confident," de Oliveira said at the National Stadium yesterday as the players loosened up on the lush green turf.

He said the coaching staff had done their homework on the opposition but did not have any special plans for the feared Trinidad and Tobago duo, midfielder Russell Latapy of Scottish Premier Division club Hibernian and Manchester United's Dwight Yorke.

"I respect them but we have to be careful of 11 players so that is going to be our rule," the little Brazilian said.

De Oliveira said recent setbacks, including the death of midfielder Stephen 'Shorty' Malcolm, would serve to strengthen the team mentally.

"We are going to take the performance and attitude of Steven Malcolm as our guide," he said.

Trinidad and Tobago's coach, Scotsman Ian Porterfield, expects a tough battle.

"There is a lot at stake in this game and it is a big occasion for both teams," Porterfield said. "A good start is very important and that is what we need," he added.

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