- Carlington Wilmot/Freelance Photographer
Euell... impressed with skills of the Reggae Boyz.
Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
AFTER MONTHS of speculation, former England Under-21 international Jason Euell is ready to pledge his international football future to Jamaica, the land of his father.
The 27-year-old, who represents Charlton Athletic in the English Premier League, slipped into the island quietly and observed a few training sessions as well as Jamaica's World Cup victory over Haiti on Sunday.
"That is one of the reasons I came," Euell told The Gleaner when asked whether or not he was going to represent Jamaica. "I have been working on my papers," he added, making reference to his Jamaican passport and a clearance from FIFA to represent the country.
His decision to play for Jamaica is largely due to a desire to "feel the buzz and enjoy an experience similar to what the players had following the 1998 qualifications", and dialogue with JFF president Crenston Boxhill.
"I have met with president Boxhill on a few occasions and he invited me down, so I decided to come and have a look at the team in training and to see the match," Euell said.
NOT DISAPPOINTED
Having come to Jamaica and viewed the team, Euell has not been disappointed.
"It (the experience of the match against Haiti) was all good. Apart from being an important game it was made out like a family event and that was good," explained Euell, who was watching the team play live for the second time.
A number of England-born players representing Jamaica have been branded opportunists. If such a label is fitted to Euell, this is his response: "It is not just about me. It is about doing what I can do for Jamaica."
He is impressed with the ability of the players and their style of play. "I think the style of play is good. The team is strong defensively and is good going forward," he said.
