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Boyz, T&T do battle in August 11 friendly
Friday, July 09, 2010
WITH the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals almost at an end, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz are set to resume their Brazil 2014 World Cup campaign on August 11 with the first of a two-leg international friendly series against Caribbean neighbours Trinidad and Tobago.
The return game is slated for two months later.
Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), confirmed the games during an interview with the Observer yesterday from his base in Johannesburg, shortly after returning from Durban, where he had gone to witness Tuesday's World Cup semi-final between The Netherlands and two-time winners Uruguay.
"I can confirm two big friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago," Captain Burrell said. "The first being away in Port of Spain on August 11, and the return in Kingston on October 10."
Captain Burrell, a South Africa 2010 Ambassador and a member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, added that he is "lining up a number of friendly games with selected opponents" but he didn't "want to say too much" at this time.
But regarding the Boyz's next assignment, he added: "Both countries intend to field their strongest available teams and as everyone knows, when both countries meet they engage in tough contests and these games will be no different in that regard."
However, for the first game it is highly unlikely that either country will be afforded the services of their British-based players, who will be well into their pre-season training with their clubs.
The Captain Burrell-led administration, as part of its strategic plan in preparing a solid group of players for the 2014 campaign, had promised at least one game per month, but managed just three games up to this point.
The Boyz opened with a 1-0 win over Canada inside the National Stadium on January 31, then gave a valiant effort in a 1-2 loss to Argentina in Mar Del Plata on February 10, before succumbing to a 0-2 loss under very difficult circumstances to South Africa in that country.
The JFF boss, who is expected to return to the island next week, hopes to make further announcements regarding other international friendly games.
"I hope to announce a few other international games shortly, as soon as confirmations are received," he said.
"Now that the World Cup ends on Sunday, we hope to honour the FIFA dates for the rest of the year. On my return I will make those announcements."
There are six FIFA dates remaining on the 2010 calendar -- August 11, September 3 and 7, October 8 and 12 and November 17.
National coach Theodore Whitmore has invited 26 local-based players to be part of a fitness training camp which got under way yesterday. The camp will see the Reggae Boyz, who have been out of action since a hastily arranged match against World Cup hosts South Africa back in April, focus on fitness and strengthening exercises. The national team's next major tournament is expected to be the Caribbean Cup which gets under way in August. However, the Reggae Boyz, who are the defending champions, and currently ranked at 81st in the latest FIFA World rankings have got a bye to the third round, which begins in September. The Boyz could lace up their boots as early as next month with the national team expected to take on Trinidad and Tobago in early August. The team will have a training session at the UWI Bowl at 3:30 p.m. today. List of invitees
lol. Its hard to get excited after seeing games including Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain and Ghana.
Jamaica and Trinidad.... who are they??
Dont forget Japan and South Korea,I thought they were two very exciting teams. In the late 1990's/2000, Jamaica was pretty much on par with Japan and maybe ahead of South Korea.
Ten years later and I dont see much of a comparison.
Registered: 11/25/02
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Jamatl, Tappa focusing on fitness, but he needs to emphasize tactics and player self control just as much if not more. We are very deficient in those areas. Germay & Spain taught us a lot in this World Cup, are we willing to learn the 2 styles and modify them to suit our natural talent.
Jamatl, Tappa focusing on fitness, but he needs to emphasize tactics and player self control just as much if not more. We are very deficient in those areas. Germay & Spain taught us a lot in this World Cup, are we willing to learn the 2 styles and modify them to suit our natural talent.
Jamaica already has the players to play a very effective counter-attacking style of football if Tappa chooses that route to go but will Jamaica's fans settle for it ?
To play the Spanish way, Jamaica has to replace the great playmaking midfielders of the last generation, Tappa Whitmore and Peter Cargill and as of yet, those players have not been indentified.
In the game against Argentina, which I thought was a good game with a credible result, there was still a lot of criticism about the way Jamaica currently plays so the jury is still out......
The fans might have to settle for practicality (counterattacking football) over style (possession football) to see Jamaica begin to re-establish ourselves as a CONCACAF contender again.
As Arjen Robben has said; he would rather win ugly than lose pretty any day.
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If Tappa focuses on fitness and technical skills, the rest will fall into place. I believe tactics are modified for each opponent and situation. But the majority of jamaican players are currently technically inconsistent.
Lannyd is right. Its not really Tappa's job to be focusing on fitness and technical skills. He shouldn't be picking players which lack such attributes, which should be worked on at club level.
The problem with Jamaica is that we need a better coach. If you ever listen to Tappa's pre or post match analysis you'll realise he hasn't got a clue about tactics. Tappa's will do for now because he is cheap.
Jamaica are also lacking good players, but they insist on this homegrown policy which can't as yet produce enough quality. Furthermore Jamaica needs a better football federation. Because the current management is lacking ideas.
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Tappa knows tactics very well and as young coach he is gradually learning how to impact that on the team. As national team coach especially during camp he can help players IMPROVE their fitness and technical skills.
I don't get the impression Jamaica is trying to recruit any UK based players. Correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that they want to focus on players who reside in Jamaica to form the core of the team. So scouting overseas is a low pritority. Where are the U21 stars of the future who have been drafted into the team from abroad? Furthermore once a player has shown quality and is bought by an overseas team, they end up down the pecking order because they can no longer form the core of the team. A self defeating policy.
In my opinion the job of a national team coach is to pick the best players and design a playing style and system which will acheive the best result based on the strengths and weaknesses of the players available and the opposition. The short period of time Tappa has with the players should focus on characterising the players in the squad and coaching them in the way he wants them to play. That is his specialist role. Let a fitness coach teach players how to keep fit.
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first we have limited financial resources. I you read the forum a bit more you will realize that our next critical competition is the Caribbean Cup and no UK-based players will be released by their club so Tappa needs to focus on the players who will be available for selection. The majority of those players are based in Jamaica.
I didn't expect any overseas players to be available or selected for the Caribbean cup I just went off topic out of frustration. I agree with your point about limited financial resources. It frustrates me to see that the federation can't develop ideas to alleviate the problem. Create some merchandise, fundraising events etc. Is there nothing else which can be done except ask for sponsorship?
Very true. Please believe me when I say I have payed to watch them the play the likes of Croatia, Ghana, India, Wales, Brazil, Australia, England and Nigeria. I will continue to do so when opportunity knocks. But in the meantime I think the JFF should consider using the Reggaeboy brand to full effect. Otherwise I think they are wasting an opportunity. All this talk about people not recieving their wages for months doesn't bode well for the future.
