Reggae Boyz head for China


The Jamaica Football Federation yesterday announced a fairly strong squad for the Reggae Boyz international friendly against China in China, next week Wednesday.

The squad, which is the first that has been assembled since Jamaica's convincing quarter-final showing at the recently-concluded CONCACAF Gold Cup, will see several of the country's leading overseas-based players making the trip.

These include forwards Omar Cummings, Luton Shelton, Ryan Johnson, midfielders Rodolph Austin and Jason Morrison, and defender Shavar Thomas.

local-based players

It also sees the return of several local-based players, who are fast becoming regular members in the national set-up, namely defenders Adrian Reid and Eric Vernan, and midfielder Richard Edwards.

The squad, which is slated to arrive in China on Sunday, is to have their first training session on Monday. The team also includes a number of players who have been in and out of the national set-up, given a second chance by the coaching staff to prove their worth.

These include defenders Xavian Virgo and Keneil Moodie, midfielder Kenardo Forbes and Ricardo Cousins, and goalkeeper Richard McCallum.

There is also a place in the squad for young Harbour View forward Montrose Phinn, who is the only newcomer