By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Jamaica's Richard Langley (left) moves away from his Cuban opponent during Sunday's international friendly at the National Stadium. Cuba won 2-1. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
WITH JUST four days before their opening CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Colombia at the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, the Reggae Boyz continue their preparations with an international friendly against Paraguay in 'The Office' tonight at 7:00.
Both teams are coming off losses on Sunday, Jamaica went down 2-1 to Cuba at the National Stadium, while Paraguay lost 2-0 to hosts the United States.
However, the Reggae Boyz will welcome back the services of Andy Williams, Tyrone Marshall and Craig Ziadie for this game, which could be a preview of what to expect at the Gold Cup.
"This is the last game before Sunday so we'll give all the people who didn't play on Sunday an opportunity to play tomorrow," national technical director Carl Brown said yesterday. "One of the things is to try to prevent goals being scored against us. We've let in two goals in our past two games and we need to stop that," he said of Sunday's loss and an earlier 3-2 victory at home over Nigeria.
Diego 'Sparrowhawk' Gavilan, one of Paraguay's most senior players, said his team lacked experience but not national pride.
"We have none of our more important players now at the moment. This will be the first game for some players, it will be the first two games for some players so it will be difficult," Gavilan said after a training session at the Stadium yesterday.
IMPORTANT GAME
"We haven't the big, big players like Acuna (Roberto), Chilavert (Jose Luiz), but the side that is here wants to play well for Paraguay so this game will be important," Gavilan said.
Arguably one of Paraguay's most gifted performers with great speed and a strong attacking mentality, Gavilan will lead a young defensive unit.
Gavilan, who plays for Newcastle United in the English Premier League, will get support from Ruben Maldonado, Rodrigo Mendoza and Angel at the back.
Jamaica, on the other hand, will be looking to impress their fans ahead of Sunday's opening Gold Cup game.
SCORING CHANCES
"It's about scoring the chances that we've created," Brown said. "We've gotten chances in the games that we've played and we're not even putting away 50 per cent of them. If we're going to win the Gold Cup this is what we're going to have to do. We've to start scoring 50 per cent of the chances we're creating."
The Jamaica team which look likely to take the field tonight includes Donovan Ricketts, Tyrone Marshall, Theodore Whitmore, Claude Davis, Richard Langley, Jamie Lawrence, Craig Ziadie, Ricardo Gardener, Darren Byfield, Micahel Johnson and Andy Williams.
Paraguay squad with their (numbers): Jasto Villar (12), Edgar Gonzales (6), Rodrigo Mendoza (2), Diego Gavilan (14), Carlos Bonnet (16), Angel Ortiz (8), Gustavo Morinigo (10), Walter Avalos (20), Victor Hugo Ortiz (15), Walter Fretes (18), Derlis Soto (7), Juan Samudio (9), Fredy Bareiro (17), Jorge Achucarro (19), Miguel Cardenas (22), Dario Caballero (3), Jacinto Zorrilla (13), Jorge Nunez (21), Ruden Maldonado (4).
