Seventh Heaven! - KC schoolboy ecstatic after wonder goal

Sean Williams

Friday, February 24, 2012

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HE could barely find the words initially, but the expression on his face told the whole story. Jorginho James was in Seventh Heaven.

For the 17-year-old Kingston College player who made his senior debut for his country on Wednesday night against Cuba, it was a dream come true. But to score the only goal in a 1-0 win for his country goes beyond all expectations.

[Hide Description] Schoolboy Jorginho James prepares to unleash a famous scissors kick that would prove the match winner in Jamaica’s international friendly against Cuba at the National Stadium on Wednesday night. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
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As an 82nd-minute substitute, James did not only exhibit confidence and maturity in his 10-minute stint, but grabbed the spotlight in the 85th minute with a stylish scissors kick from just inside the area after being fed by Ryan Johnson from out wide.

In the process, he carved his name in the history books as one of the youngest players to have scored on debut for the senior Jamaica team.

Another player to have scored on his senior debut is Kevin 'Pele' Wilson against Norway, also at the National Stadium.

When James finally found words on his big night, this is what flowed from his lips:

"I'm very overwhelmed scoring my first goal for Jamaica. I am feeling so good that maybe I cannot sleep tonight (Wednesday). I'm very happy being the youngest player on the team and to score a goal... I just want to thank God," he said.

The young star should probably be concerned with whether or not he will be able to manage waking up from this almost surreal episode.

While the technique of executing such a difficult shot in a tight area has to be on cue, James, with his head obviously still in the clouds, made it appear as if it's something that he repeats day in, day out.

"The day before I scored a similar goal (in training), so I was confident of striking this ball in the back of the net," he said.

With such a fairytale start to life at the top, James, who missed out on a place in Jamaica's Under-17 World Cup team to Mexico last year, said his focus now is on readying himself to make the transition from a schoolboy player to a full international.

"I'm working hard by training hard and the transition will come. It's not game time that's hard, it's the training you put in that is," said the youngster.

That transition is already in motion.

Head coach Theodore Whitmore, who had summoned a top-heavy local-based squad for the Cuban friendlies, said James's introduction was timely.

"We had 20 players and anyone could come on at any time, and at that time, James was the right one and he did it for his country," said Whitmore, Jamaica's two-goal hero in a 2-1 win over Japan in the France 1998 World Cup.

Whitmore told the Observer that if the budding striker "could just keep his head", the future could indeed be bright.

"The whole coaching staff has been talking about him. He's very confident and he does whatever he wants with the ball.... So for Jorginho to score tonight (Wednesday) is something that we have to sit and talk to him going forward," said Whitmore.

For tonight's game, the senior Boyz coach has already factored in the juvenile player in his plans and beyond.

"Jorginho James is certainly one who will actually be in the team (tonight) and will be travelling to New Zealand as well. Again, it's just a start for him and it's how well he can handle the pressure (that will ultimately determine how far he goes)," concluded Whitmore.

Following the Cuba match-up, Jamaica are due to depart the island tomorrow for a friendly against New Zealand on Wednesday.

Other senior team debutantes on Wednesday night were Joel Senior, Andrae Campbell, Jacomeno Barrett, Rohan Reid, Mitchily Waul and Dino Williams.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Sev...2#ixzz1nIkTwu9t