Mcdonald, Fuller and Johnson - File JAMAICA'S REGGAE Boyz,
2-1 winners over Japan in France 1998, face a daunting task when they meet the 2002 World Cup hosts in a high profile friendly match in Tokyo tomorrow.
The Japanese will take on Jamaica before what is expected to be a capacity crowd of 60,000 fanatical supporters at 5 a.m. Jamaica time (7 p.m. in Tokyo) and with several of their top players missing the Reggae Boyz should find the going rough.
English-based trio, big forward Onandi Lowe of English Division Three club Rushden and Diamond, Deon Burton of Derby County and Bolton Wanderers' Ricardo Gardner are all absent due to injury.
British-born professional, 23-year-old Kevin Lisbie, also withdrew from the squad on Sunday. Technical director Carl Brown said Lisbie was hit by abdominal problems and did not make the trip.
"I spoke to him the day before we left and he said he was down and feeling very weak," Brown said last night from Japan.
Earlier manager Howard Bell said the Jamaican team was settling well.
At press time last night (Tuesday morning in Japan) the full squad was gearing up for a third practice session and were said to be in high spirits ahead of the game.
With the weather similar to the one locally, the Boyz reportedly had no problems adapting to the conditions in Tokyo.
"The weather conditions are good. It's actually similar to home - hot in the days and cool at nights. We've had two training sessions so far without incident or injury. Everyone's in good spirits and we're looking forward to the game," Bell said.
The starting eleven was not expected to be named until shortly before the match but Fulham's Barry Hayles who has been enjoying a phenomenal season for his side is strongly tipped to be there from the opening whistle.
Hayles has scored just three times but has provided many assists for leading scorer Junichi Inamoto who will don the Japanese colours tomorrow. Inamoto has eight goals. Hayles partner could be Ricardo Fuller who has also been playing well for English first division side Preston.
Japan who are coached by Brazilian legend Zico will prove to be formidable opponents at home and will be seeking revenge for the 1998 defeat. Top star, midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, will be hard to contain midfield while Inamoto and his strike partner Shinji Ono who plays for top Dutch side Feyenoord will have to be stopped.
Zico is desperate to keep together the squad that performed so admirably at the World Cup in the summer as Japan reached the second round. Tomorrow's game will be the first under his stewardship.
Japan are gearing up for the Kirin Challenge Cup, when they are due to face Argentina in Saitama on November 20.
The full Jamaica squad is: Aaron Lawrence, Donovan Ricketts, Ian Goodison, Marco McDonald, Claude Davis, Omar Daley, Fabian Taylor, Irvino English, Robert Scarlett, Jermaine Johnson, Ricardo Fuller, Barrington Hayles, Paul Hall, Micah Hyde, Andrew Williams, Craig Ziadie, Linval Dixon and Keith Kelly.
