- PHOTO BY PAUL-ANDRE WALKER
National coach Wendell Downswell addresses the Reggae Boyz during their final training session before tonight's encounter with French Guiana at the National Stadium.
Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
JAMAICA'S REGGAE Boyz are on the job once more and hoping to put in quality work against little-known French Guiana this evening, knowing that their performance could determine the direction in which the national football programme heads.
At 7:00 p.m. the new-look Wendell Downswell-coached side will march out on to the National Stadium turf in search of a crucial win in their Digicel Caribbean Cup third round, first leg tie, a game which may determine whether or not they qualify for the CONCACAF final round in Barbados from February 20-24 and ultimately the July 6-24 Gold Cup.
Downsell understands its importance if Jamaica is going to see once more droves of spectators piling into 'The Office' and also to get sponsors to line up at the Jamaica Football Federation secretariat.
LOOKING FORWARD TO WIN
"The fact that our train has been derailed (World Cup), we know that the Caribbean Cup and the Under-20s will have to restore the pride. The players know it and they know what they have to do. We are going to be playing a very aggressive and tactical game and we are looking forward to a win," the national head coach said yesterday.
Although French Guiana do not have much of a football history, Downswell is aware they cannot be taken lightly as they toppled quality teams of the likes of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Dominica in CONCACAF Group B qualifying results that gave them the right to play Jamaica.
"It is going to be a tough game, very tough. We have some information on them though and we will be playing a tactical game against them tomorrow," Downswell said.
PLAYERS ENTHUSED
"We will be extremely positive in our approach. Despite what they might have done to get here, we are the No. 1 team in the Caribbean and we are going to demonstrate that. The players are really enthused about the game and with the preparation that we have had and the fact that we are playing at home, we will definitely push this advantage home," he said.
In the lead up to this stage, Jamaica brushed aside the US Virgin Islands 11-1, St. Martin 12-0 and then Haiti 3-1 in the first round before edging St. Lucia 3-2 (1-1 and 2-1) in the second round.
French Guiana beat Guadeloupe 1-0, Dominica 4-0 and drew 0-0 with Martinique.
For today's game, Downsell will have the services of four overseas professionals he did not have for the St. Lucia game. Preston North End midfielder Omar Daley makes a return to the national side after almost nine months in the wilderness. He brings with him flair, firepower, speed and the temperament capable of taking apart any defensive unit on his day.
WILLIAMS RETURNS
Also making a return to the middle of the park is Andy Williams who missed the last game due to suspension while Damani Ralph, who last wore the Boyz colours against the United States in Jamaica's last World Cup qualifier, will be hoping for a start up front - in the area now mastered by newcomers Roland Dean and Luton Shelton. The other overseas player brought in to ensure that the Boyz are in good stead when they play the return leg next week is defender Tyrone Marshall.
Up to press time Downsell was still to decide on a final eleven which will come from: Leighton Murray, Shawn Sawyers, Jermaine Taylor, Damion Stewart, Marshall, Fabian Davis, Tyrone Sawyers, Robert Scarlett, Garfield Reid, Hue, Daley, Williams (captain), Keith Kelly, Mario Harrison, Khari Stephenson, Dean, Shelton and Ralph.
Meanwhile, French Guiana had a workout at the National Stadium last evening minutes after the Reggae Boyz ended their training session and left but Downsell stayed back to get a glimpse of what they might have on offer.
And while admitting he has learnt a thing or two about his opponents, Downsell kept his findings close to his chest.
However, he did say that they "are nothing really to lose sleep over but we will be playing against a good team".
