By Charmaine Austin,
Staff Reporter
Hayles
STRIKER Ricardo Fuller is a doubtful starter for Jamaica in their opening round game against Martinique in the Copa Caribe football tournament which gets underway at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago today at 5p.m.(4p.m. local time).
Technical director Clovis de Oliveira told The Gleaner that the skilful forward had not fully recovered from his injury, and it was evident during the team's training session late yesterday.
"We have one doubt for tomorrow's game as Ricardo Fuller is not fully recovered," de Oliveira said. "There is a chance that he may not play. He is not at his best though he says he is willing to try, but we will see what happens tomorrow (today).
A team meeting is scheduled for this morning at 10:00, at which point de Oliveira says he will confirm whether or not the Crystal Palace representative will play. He also said he will announce the starting line-up then.
There is also another injury concern to the already depleted side, that of England-based striker, Barry Hayles, who was experiencing pain in his previously hurt ankle.
But, despite what the technical director terms "problems", the Jamaicans enter today's game ready both from a physical and psychological aspect.
"The trip down was fine. The players are confident and that's a good thing. It's not going to be easy, we know because there is a great expectation from the fans about the players that couldn't come but we will be doing our best.
"The atmosphere is good and we're going to push for what we came here for - to win this tournament," de Oliveira said.
Captain Linval Dixon heads the list of absentees which also includes, Onandi Lowe, Micah Hyde, Ricardo Gardner, Ian "Pepe" Goodison, Chris Dawes, Darryl Powell and Deon Burton. And though under-strength, the national coach sees it as an opportunity to view the newer players in action at this level.
At press time last night, England-based Jamie Lawrence, Arnett Gardens' Fabian Davis and US-based Andy Williams had not yet arrived, but were confirmed to play.
For the battle against former Cup holders Martinique, de Oliveira said his team faces an uphill battle.
"It is going to be very difficult and we have to respect them. But our morale was boosted after that last World Cup qualifying game with Honduras.
"What we can promise is that we will go into that stadium and do our best. The support from the people is great and it will be a good opportunity for us to see the youngsters in action," de Oliveira said.
"We've never seen them play, but we got key information about them which we will assess during or team meeting tomorrow (today) and decide how we'll use it to best work around them," de Oliveira added.
Jamaica are in Group A with many-time champions and current title holders Trinidad and Tobago (to whom they lost the title in 1997), as well as Martinique and 2000 COCACAF World Cup semi-final round qualifiers Barbados.
In Group B are Haiti, Cuba, Suriname and St Kitts and Nevis.
Today's games
Jamaica vs Martinique 4:00 pm
Trinidad and Tobago vs Barbados 6:00
Tomorrow's games
Haiti vs St Kitts and Nevis 4:00 pm
Suriname vs Nevis 6:00 pm.
