Whitmore missing from training

By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter

Whitmore

NATIONAL midfielder Theodore Whitmore is almost certain to miss Jamaica's crucial World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago in the twin-island republic this Saturday.

The player who is sometimes brilliant and at other times indifferent, failed to join the training camp on Monday night and up to press time last night. Technical director Clovis de Oliveira said that neither he nor any senior member of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) heard from the player. Whitmore is one of the key players in Jamaica's team and de Oliveira builds his team around him.

The team is scheduled to leave at 12:45 today for Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica are second from bottom in the six-team Concacaf qualifiers from which three teams will advance to Japan and Korea. With five matches to go Jamaica are in a must-win situation against their rivals.

"I don't know. I am just going to go there (the players house) but we have to take the decision," de Oliveira said on Whitmore's whereabouts.

"We are not here joking. It is a delicate time that we are in. It is unacceptable that this kind of thing has happened. Always there is some excuse. Always they have something.

"I am not here for that... I have given a lot of support to these players many, many times. You know me. I have never complained. Now we have to share the responsibility," a very frustrated sounding de Oliveira said at the end of a training session which seemed to be lacking in spirit.

Midfielder Andy Williams and his Major League Soccer colleagues Tyrone Marshall, Wolde Harris and Chris Dawes will join the team in Miami along with Jamie Lawrence who went back to sort matters out with his club, Bradford. Ricardo Fuller missed training because of a dental appointment while Fulham forward Barry Hayles was dropped from the squad.

"Even though I realise that it is football, the first one (to go) is coach de Oliveira," said de Oliveira wiping his finger across his throat indicating that if there is any dissatisfaction with the team, he would be the first to be fired.

Whitmore's no show is the second time in quick succession that a key player has not turned up for camp ahead on an important game. Striker Walter Boyd was called up to the join he national team ahead of the United States game on June 16 but did not show and is still not a part of the national squad.

"We have to start sharing (the responsibility). I want to qualify this team for the World Cup I want to. I am not saying that I am going to do it but I want to," added de Oliveira.

Whitmore's no show overshadowed the presence of national Under-20 midfielder Keith Kelly who impressed during Jamaica' short run in the Under-20 World Cup finals in Argentina. It was the first call up for the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder under de Oliveira's watch.

Kelly was not originally a part of the squad according to de Oliveira but got his chance as an emergency replacement for Fabian Taylor who injured himself in training yesterday morning.

"I was planning to do something with the players players who took part in the Under-20 World Cup and now I have got the chance even though it is an emergency. He (Kelly) is one of the most talented players in the country."

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