Boyz secure int'l friendly with Ecuador

BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sport Editor

Thursday, August 18, 2011

IN its drive to keep the Reggae Boyz active going into upcoming CONCACAF World Cup qualifying play-offs next year, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has secured a friendly international game against South American outfit Ecuador on September 2 in that country's capital, Quito.

The game, to be played on an official FIFA calendar date, will take place at the country's premier sporting facility, the 39,000-capacity Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa. The kick off time is still to be decided.

President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, in breaking news of the match yesterday, said he was delighted Jamaica will get the opportunity to face "a quality South American opponent at high altitude".

"The JFF is very pleased at securing this game versus Ecuador in that country... there are already a lot of similarities between Ecuador and Mexico as well as Central American opponents we are likely to meet in the World Cup Qualifiers next year," said Burrell yesterday.

He added that the opportunity will allow for players and technical staff "to assimilate conditions that we will most definitely face on the journey to Brazil 2014".

The elevation of the city's central square — Plaza Grande — is measured at 2,800 metres (9,200 ft), making Quito the second-highest administrative capital city in the world after La Paz, Bolivia.

Burrell, who currently acts as president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), said the JFF intends to aggressively pursue other opportunities to fill the remaining FIFA calendar date windows for 2011.

"The JFF is pulling out all stops in securing additional games for the remaining FIFA dates for this year, and this game against Ecuador is another step in that direction," said the CONCACAF executive committee member.

The other FIFA windows allocated for friendly international matches for 2011 are October 7-11 and November 11-15.

Burrell, who was in China last week for the Boyz's 1-0 defeat against the hosts, said he does not expect to be faced with the same challenges that threatened that engagement where a number of players withdrew from the team for various reasons "at the last minute", forcing the Federation into contingencies that resulted in a reduced squad of 15 players for the match-up.

"We experienced a number of challenges preparing for the game against China, which were mostly outside of the JFF's control. We do not expect similar challenges for the game, especially because the September FIFA dates allow for us to have access to the players over a much longer period and provides greater flexibility with organisation and travel," said the veteran football boss.

Jamaica's delegation, including the European and USA-based players, are expected to arrive in the South America nation of 14 million on Tuesday, August 30 and depart Saturday, September 3.

The last time both countries met was in New York in August 2009 in a friendly that ended goalless.

While Jamaica — currently ranked at 44th by FIFA — have qualified for one FIFA World Cup back in France in 1998, Ecuador (ranked 67th), have qualified for two tournaments in 2002 and 2006. Their best performance came in 2006 when they advanced to the Round of 16 where they were eliminated by England.





Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Boyz-secure-int-l-friendly-with-Ecuador_9468449#ixzz1VNJf5wVW

The elevation of the city's central square — Plaza Grande — is measured at 2,800 metres (9,200 ft), making Quito the second-highest administrative capital city in the world after La Paz, Bolivia.

The transition, he explained, is not always easy and many struggle to make it successfully.

"Some players are club players," the technical director said. "The national jersey can be heavy."

Which new faces are we seeking in the squad? (Most of our players in the UK having been riding the bench)

Well, I will laud the JFF for setting up a good friendly. The altitude stuff is a bit of a canard, because a lot of scientific literature argues that the players would either have to be in the place for 7-14 days, or arrive 24-48 hours before the game for good adaptation. The first scenario builds better blood oxygen capacity, while the second means that the body will have less time to suffer from oxygen depletion. Burrell is all blah, blah, blah, as Mexico City's conditions are different, and the players often face poor air quality.

The big question is whether we will see any new faces in the Boyz squad. I am skeptical, but I was also skeptical that we would be playing a solid opponent, so I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that the JFF will continue to surprise.

Simoes' last escapade failed for various reasons including much-delayed-same-day arrival, and low level squad selection. The 1997 scenario is notable, but we will hope that the "professionalism" of the new squad -- haha -- might help.

Altitude is tough for all visiting teams, unless they usually play at it, or have lots of time to prepare. But we won't get that time here, nor if we play in the Hex. Bolivia and Ecuador are not great footballing nations, but home games can make them formidable.

But, Lincoln, what is your take on whether we will see any new squad members?

I would expect the following locals:

Richard Edwards
Richard McCallum
Eric Vernan
Adrian Reid

1. Dane "One Trick Pony" Richards. - NY Red Bulls
2. Omar cummings. - Colorado
3. Ryan Johnson.- Toronto
4. Jevaughn Watson. - Houston
5. Lovell Palmer. - Portland
6. Shavar Thomas. - Kansas City
7. Shaun Francis - Columbus (???)
8. U-23 players.
9. (Returning) Bronx League players.
10. Kieron Bernard - Orlando City
11. Demar Stewart - Orlando City
12. Jermaine Taylor - Houston
13. Dane Kelly - Charleston Battery

The key player to look out for is right winger Antonio Valencia. He is a Manchester United right winger who recently won the EPL title for the 2010-2011 season. He is a key asset for the Ecuadorians putting in accurate crosses and precise overlapping movements. But what Jamaica could take from him is that his weak link is that he is a one-dimensional player. What that means is that even though he is accurate he is predictable. He always storms down the flank to put in a cross. You hardly see him cutting inside to take a shot. So Demar Phillips could have an interesting job at left back come September 2nd.

_________________________________________________

Simon Preston

I am starting to believe these are our core players for World Cup qualifying

Since the contract situation with the JFF after the Caribbean Cup it seems that only certain players have been called into the squad rotation. Many of us have been waiting for some of the more experienced players to get some game time in to see how they fit with the current crop. I suspect that many of the better or more seasoned professionals did not agree to the contract terms and they will never wear the colors again until the agree to the Captain's terms.

Some are players are missing sorting out club contracts, while others have not played more than a half of football in over 6+ months.

Would you bring a player(s) who is/are not match fit to play an away match at 2000+ feet above sea level after a trans-Atlantic flight?

We all know we are talking about the UK-based players that are missing. I absolutely do not work for the JFF and it does concern me also. But the only UK-based players who have played any minutes are:

Darren Pratley (Bolton)
Jermaine Beckford (Everton)
Chris Humphrey (Motherwell)
Ian Goodison (Tranmere)
Zavon Hines(West Ham)
Jamal Campbell-Ryce(Barnsley)
Joel Grant(Crewe Alexander)
Jobi McNuff(Watford)
Lee Williamson(Sheffield United)

Are the following players below not "foreign" based ?

Dwayne Miller
Omar Cummings
Ryan Johnson
Shavar Thomas
Jermaine Taylor
Demar Phillips
Damion Williams
Rudolph Austin
Jevaughn Watson
Dane Richards


We all know we are talking about the UK-based players that are missing. I absolutely do not work for the JFF and it does concern me also. But the only UK-based players who have played any minutes are:

Darren Pratley (Bolton)
Jermaine Beckford (Everton)
Chris Humphrey (Motherwell)
Ian Goodison (Tranmere)
Zavon Hines(West Ham)
Jamal Campbell-Ryce(Barnsley)
Joel Grant(Crewe Alexander)
Jobi McNuff(Watford)
Lee Williamson(Sheffield United)

I am starting to believe these are our core players for World Cup qualifying

fyi, None of the players or their agents have come out and publicly stated that they are looking for and/or awaiting a call up from the JFF.

Darren Pratley (Bolton)
Jermaine Beckford (Everton)
Zavon Hines(West Ham)


I think we should focus on the match and getting our first quality win against a quality opponent in their backyard. We made a big mental stride getting a result in El Salvador, now is the time to get another quality win in an opponent's backyard.

I thought on FIFA match days, friendly or not, clubs had to release players to their national teams. Am I wrong?

I thought on FIFA match days, friendly or not, clubs had to release players to their national teams. Am I wrong?

Yes, you are correct. However, if the player has not committed to OR hold a passport OR proper citizenship documentation for the calling national team, FIFA can do nothing. So just because a player "reportedly" has Jamaica-born parents or grandparents, does it automatically give the JFF rights to call up that player(s) with FIFA backing.

You are correct! FIFA has strict rules about this, and if a country brings a complaint the offending club can be fined and lose the player to a suspension. This is not to say that there are not backroom machinations, but if a player wants to play for a country, he must be released if he is not injured. From FIFA:

Release of players for national association representative matches in accordance with the Coordinated International Match Calendar

Friendly matches on a fixed/set date for qualifying matches for an international competition

If a national association does not have to play qualifying matches for an international competition, it may wish to play a friendly match on a fixed/set date.

In this event, if a player is called up, he must be released to the national association as under section b) above, and in accordance with Art. 36 Paragraphs 2a) and 5a). The period of release, however, shall only be 48 hours.

To answer Morefire and Jamatl, our local players will not be enough to get us far. We must cultivate what we have, but we must augment the squad with carefully-chosen-foreign-born players.

By the way, Jamatl, you never answered my question about the condition of the locals who won't be starting their season until the second week of September. Do you think that the great physical preparation that they get in pre-season in JA will outweigh their technical limitations?

We need to focus and figure out how to deal with Antonio Valencia (Manchester United/ENG), Christian "Chucho" Benítez (Club America/MEX), Segundo Castillo (Pachuca/MEX), Christian Noboa (Rubin Kazan/RUS) and Felipe Caicedo (Lokomotiv Moscow/RUS) along with the altitude and crowd in Quito.

Are Hines, Pratley, Humphrey and Stew Peas too much to ask for Tappa? A rock solid defender by our present standards, an impressive defensive mid and two out and out attacking flyers!? Time to stop playing the fool and recognize that we need solid additions to this squad!*kiss teet*

Stop the nonsense Jamatl. Are you working for the JFF? Name names, excluding the injured players. Players on the bench in the UK are fitter than players from the low-level DPL, because they train better, and play reserve games. By the way, is the DPL in full mid-season swing?

What you have here is what a number of us have been sayuing for awhile. The JFF and Tappa are not going to bring in players who will demand better treatment and money. I also think that there is the sense that some of these ballers might not worship at Tappa's feet. We will see "foreign" players only when the team gets desperate. It is now time to start approaching players, and trying out "potential". No one is saying that we should lock out locals, but we must realize that some of the locals are not up to the task.

Can someone please explain what does Tappa have against England-based players? The last time an England-based player got a cap under him was Fuller against T&T last October (remember Omar Daley was unattached during the Gold Cup). Below is a list of active Jamaican players with 10+ caps in England and the best explanation I can find for them not getting a call.

Gardner and Fuller and injured
Stewart, Goodison, JJ, and King have had their problems with the JFF in the past
I can't remember Claude Davis doing anything but he's without a club...could still probably do the job though. He hasn't been called since the '09 Gold Cup (was there a problem then?)
I can't find an excuse for JCR

Blessed love- Good point not sure the urgency has hit the JFF technical people as yet. Nothing they are doing regarding building a team suggest they want to win the fans, sponsors and media on their side muchless get to Brazil. They are waiting to see how far these current players can take us and when we are in a must win situation then they will start recruiting. The sacrifice of traveling to see players and flying in players must be made now.

Klinsman just took the US job and he is on a recruiting role. He is bringing in all the German born players with US connection to fortify is team. Obviously based on the US gol cup performance he knows the current squad will struggle.

Now what is Jamaica doing who has access to more quality players than the US we are recruiting from our failed under 20, and under 23 teams not saying we dont have a few quality players at that level. My feeling we should be recruiting players who will help to take us pass the US, Mexico, CR , HON with ease. Right now I cannot say we can beat Mexico or the US at home or away so we are competing for the 1.5 spot.

It does not look good with the laid back approach that is taking place.

I agree. With our diaspora of Jamaica-connected players in the U.K. and North America, we are messing up. I watch Senegal constantly calling up players who have Senegalese parents and relatives, but who were born abroad, and who have played for France in age-specific competitions. The same can be said for Morocco and other countries as well.

No one is advocating the formation of a "foreign-born" team to replace our Jamaican-born players, but we need to look far and wide for talent. I was just reading about Paraguay's new manager, Arce, and his recruiting of players who were born in Argentina, but who have at least one Paraguayan parent. We can talk till we are blue in the face, but will the JFF listen?

Really did you get this info from kirkieb?

"Its just the fact guys, tappa don't believe in full matured professionals,"

Does anyone remember if Valencia played against us in 2009 when we played Ecuador in the States

Will you be uploading this one?

I assume you're talking to me, I'll try but I'll be more focused on the Qualifiers.

Jamaica's starting 11

Dwayne Miller, Adrian Reid, Shavar Thomas, Keneil Moodie, Xavian Virgo, Eric Vernon, Rudolph Austin, Damion Williams, Dane Richards, Demar Phillips, Omar Cummings

Jamaica will be applying the use of a 4-5-1 formation

Did Jermaine Taylor make it down to Quito?

Ah, we caught a break as Valencia and Caicedo will not be playing. I knew that Valencia had not recovered fully from that ankle injury, but I had expected that Caicedo would play. That said, the future for the Boyz looks dark if we will be using players such as Keneil Moodie and Xavean Virgo as we go forward. I won't bother to flog that horse that I and many others have been flogging about widening the gene pool to improve squad depth, but...

You caught a break? So what you assume will happen if the 'Boyz pull off a result because of a depleted Ecuador team? And what if JA catch another break against Colombia?

The break you think you are catching now in these meaningless games might come back to haunt you when it counts the most, as the JFF might use any positive result to cement these players on the squad.

If I was Jamaican and disappointed with the continued team selection I would be praying for blow-out losses in these games. I know Ballaprof is looking forward to blow-out losses in these games.

You all need to be patient. Big ballas only show up when it counts.
WCQ start next year for Jamaica. We still need to look at our local players to find a diamond or two in the rough. Give the youths a chance because it will get tight next year.

can someone post a link please to watch it?

One again all Shavar Thomas have to exchange is a nice Colgate smile.

Just like I predicted. The defense is going to get burned. We were lucky it is not 2 love

Austin loose the ball in midfield resulted in the goal 2-0

6-0 ANYONE?

now its 3-0 ecuador...

Lincoln, you'll have to revise that score now that we have one.

Two of the only "players" on the team, Cummings and Demar. two goals.

Pele, for our ranking sake I don't want us to loose; not that kind of pressure.

What we need as Distrib & I has alluded to is quality and in depth media coverage to put pressure on the JFF, exposing their lack of.

Media asking the tough questions, instead of settling for answers like: "we are using 9 local base to expose them"

Depends on whether they take their foot off the pedal, or if they invoke the mercy rule. What a disgrace! We could have been down by five.

But, hey, we don't need no "foreign" ballers, because JA produces as many top ballers as any top football country.

Why worry about rankings? Is rankings get the friendlies or good relationships and negotiations? I am more worried about the poor quality on show.