This is it! - Jamaica begin quest for FIFA U-17 World Cup spot

By Howard Walker Observer staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

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A confident Jamaica begin their quest for a World Cup spot when they tackle Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in Group C action of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship today at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, starting at 3:00 pm.

In the curtain raiser, Barbados will play Honduras in Group D at 12:00 noon and that will be followed by the Opening Ceremony slated for 2:00 pm.

Jamaica’s head coach Wendell Downswell (right) gives final instructions to his players during their training session yesterday at the Half Moon Hotel field. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Jamaica’s Jevani Brown juggles the ball while on the ground as Ramone Brown looks on during yesterday’s training session at the Half Moon Hotel. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
Trinidad and Tobago’s Tevonne Morris juggles the ball under the watchful eyes of his coach Shawn Cooper (left) at the UDC field yesterday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
[Hide Description] Jamaica’s head coach Wendell Downswell (right) gives final instructions to his players during their training session yesterday at the Half Moon Hotel field. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
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After months of preparations in both Jamaica and Brazil, the young Reggae Boyz will be under tremendous pressure to deliver, especially on home soil. Jamaica, who will be hoping to end a 10-year drought from a FIFA World Cup, should start favourites against their fierce Caribbean rivals.

The core of these players met in 2008 in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-15 tournament and Jamaica came out victorious. Back in 2007 Trinidad defeated Jamaica at the CONCACAF Under-17 qualifier in Kingston. But all that is history and the young Reggae Boyz can expect a difficult time from their Caribbean rivals.

Jamaica's head coach Wendell Downswell is confident his team will cope with the pressure. "We are pretty satisfied with what has transpired. We know what we have to do. It is just for us to deliver," Downswell said after yesterday's training. He continued: "The players recognised that the country's expectations are high. In 2001 we qualified for the Under-20 World Cup and we have not since."

Jamaica's head coach Wendell Downswell is confident his team will cope with the pressure. "We are pretty satisfied with what has transpired. We know what we have to do. It is just for us to deliver," Downswell said after yesterday's training. He continued: "The players recognised that the country's expectations are high. In 2001 we qualified for the Under-20 World Cup and we have not since."

He added: "We have the first 90 minutes and the next 270 minutes will be crucial for us."

The Young Reggae Boyz had a training session at the Half Moon Hotel field yesterday for little over one hour and they looked in the right frame of mind. But they will be without top central midfielder Romario Jones, who was seen with crutches during the training session. Jones had more playing minutes during their six-week training stint in Brazil and was a permanent fixture, as the coach searched for his starting team.

The starting line-up was not yet determined, but it should look like this -- Odean Clarke and Richard Trench are still fighting for the goalkeeping position. Alvas Powell, Quante Smith, Oshane Jenkins and Patrick Palmer are the defenders. Captain Omar Holness, Andre Lewis, Jason Wright, Javia Roberts and King Kaya Beckford should provide the offensive thrust.

Trinidad and Tobago had a two-hour training session at the UDC Field and coach Shawn Cooper didn't reveal much during his session, but admitted pressure is on the Jamaicans. Said Cooper: "We haven't trained for a day and a half because it was a long flight. The guys were a little rusty, but they came out and did a good session."

He continued: "We couldn't do everything we wanted to do because we don't know if the spies are around. The pressure is on Jamaica and they will want to do well... the last time Trinidad came and defeated Jamaica in Jamaica and that should play on their minds," he noted.

"But we know they will be coming with vengeance. It will be a very exciting game," said Cooper.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Thi...4#ixzz1E11n848x