Boxhill
THE PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Football Federation, Crenston Boxhill, has confirmed Jamaica is in discussions with the Bahrain Football Federation for friendly early next month.
According to Boxhill, the small Gulf state, which is due to go up against Caribbean team Trinidad and Tobago on November 12 in the first of a two-legged play-off to determine a World Cup berth, made the request recently.
"Yes, we are in discussions with Bahrain regarding a friendly international to be played here but as yet nothing has been finalised. No contract has been signed," Boxhill told The Gleaner last week.
"They approached us for the game and we are willing to play them, providing certain conditions are met," he added.
PLAY-OFF VS TRINIDAD
Bahrain, who finished third in their qualifying group for the 2002 World Cup finals and fourth in the 2004 Asian Cup, defeated Uzbekistan in the Asian Zone play-off to secure the right to meet CONCACAF fourth-placed team Trinidad and Tobago in another play-off for a World Cup place
According to Boxhill, the intention of the emerging Asian power who are due to play Panama on October 26 before arriving in Jamaica on November 1, is to stay in the country for a week-long training camp.
"The date of the friendly has not been finalised. What they had proposed was that after their game against Panama, they arrive here on November 1 to train for a week to get adjusted to Caribbean conditions and play the friendly during the course of the week," he explained.
Boxhill said before seriously considering Bahrain's offer, they first considered the position of Caribbean brothers Trinidad and Tobago.
"I discussed the game with the relevant people in Trinidad and Tobago and they had no problem with it. This decision to discuss it with Trinidad and Tobago was done in the spirit of Caribbean solidarity.
BENEFITS
"Had Trinidad and Tobago had a problem with it, then probably we would not even have considered it," he said.
Jamaica have not had a local game in close to a year and could do well with the injection of capital. Bahrain could benefit from the game against another Caribbean team while Trinidad and Tobago officials could see Bahrain up close before their encounter.
