Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Jamaica's goalkeeper Shawn Swayers holds the Digicel Caribbean Cup while teammates and team officials (from right) Patrick 'Jackie' Walters (JFF youth develpment officer), Crenston Boxhill (JFF president), Wendell Downswell (head coach) and Howard Bell (team manager) pose upon their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
The triumphant Reggae Boyz returned home yesterday to a small but appreciative crowd led by school children and Digicel representatives, who sang and greeted the team as they arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport as new Caribbean champions.
The Reggae Boyz, slickly-attired in their black pants with gold, black and green T-shirts, arrived home from Barbados after conquering the Caribbean for the third time, with the silver Digicel Cup plus the well-needed US$100,000 ($6.2m) symbolic cheque.
Crenston Boxhill, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), said the JFF has been going through challenging times but was happy that his team achieved the two objectives they left Jamaica with.
"The first one was to make certain that we qualified for the Gold Cup. That we did after the second game; and (second objective) to maintain our number one ranking in the Caribbean. Of course we are feeling very proud," he said.
"This is the kind of fillip that we needed after all that we have been going through, this is probably what the doctor ordered," added Boxhill.
finished unbeaten
Jamaica finished the tournament unbeaten after defeating arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 and had narrow 1-0 victories over host Barbados and Cuba to lift the title for the third time following successes in 1991 and 1998.
For head coach, Wendell Downswell, the winning feeling was as sweet as it comes.
"This is a personal triumph for me. Many people doubt my credibility but I have justified the confidence that the federation has put in me and hope now to move from strength to strength."
Downswell, who is yet to taste defeat since taking over from Carl Brown, said full credit must be given to the players for the manner in which they conducted themselves on and off the field.
"We are very happy that we came away with a win at this time for the federation, knowing that the programme has been derailed and with the sort of positive light that has been shown, we intend to build on this."
thankful for support
The head coach was also thankful for the support the local clubs gave in releasing their players upon request for national training, and also ensuring that whenever the players are not in camp they are kept in excellent condition.
"It wasn't the most classy performance that we displayed against Barbados but what was important was that we won.
"We knew (that for) the game against Cuba we would have to improve. A lot of people doubt that we would have won that game, but we planned tactically, looked at Cuba and analysed them looking at their strength and weaknesses.
"Our intention now is to give the players a break at their clubs and look at some international games now and then, but they will spend the majority of the time with their clubs. In May we will intensify their preparation going into the Gold Cup," said Downswell, before hurrying off to the team bus.
David Hall, chief executive officer of Digicel Jamaica, said the tournament was a success and his company is here to stay.
"It was a total success, we had great attendances as well. It was fantastic all round. It's the first big tournament that we sponsored in Barbados and it shows that we are here to stay and make an impact," said Hall.
"From a Jamaican side of things, you couldn't have asked for more," he added.
