SWEDEN BEAT JAMAICA 2-1 IN FRIENDLY
MAY 27
14th ranked Sweden beat Jamaica 2-1 in a friendly on Thursday, with striker Yskel
Osmanovski scoring twice in the first half. The first goal came after 18 minutes when he
obbed the ball over goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence and the second in the 29th minute. In
the second half Jamaica showed glimpses of the talent that took them to the 1998 World Cup
finals. Jamaican striker Marcus Gayle missed the net with a header in the 55th minute and
then scored Jamaica's only goal in the 77th minutes. Jamaica's Team: 13-Aaron
Lawrence (30-Donovan Ricketts 46); 3-Christopher Dawes, 5-Ian Goodison, 7-Winston
Griffiths, 8-Marcus Gayle, 11-Theodore Whitmore (17-David Johnson 56), 12-Steve Green
(22-Paul Hall 46), 15-Garth Peterkin (2-Michael Johnson 28), 16-Fabian Davis (10-Ricardo
Fuller 84), 19-Frank Sinclair, 31-Onandi Lowe (20-Darryl Powell 46)
JAMAICA NAMES SQUAD FOR COPA
CARIBE
Jamaica will face arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago on the opening day of the Copa Caribe
June 3 at the Hasley Crawford Stadium. They have included three English-based
professionals in their squad to defend the Caribbean Cup football title they won last
year. Included in the Jamaican squad are Michael Johnson from Birmingham City, Ricardo
Gardner from Bolton Wanderers and David Johnson of Ipswich Town. The full Jamaican Squad
is Aaron Lawrence, Eugene Barnes, Christopher Dawes, Clifton Waugh, Ian Goodison, Marco Mc
Donald, Winston Griffiths, Steve Green, Michael Johnson, Ricardo Fuller, Theodore
Whitmore, Onandi Lowe, Garth Peterkin, Robert Scarlett, Ricardo Gardner, Fabian Davis,
David Johnson and Donovan Ricketts.
JAMAICA WIN 1-0 OVER WEST
BROMWICH ALBION
MAY 24
Jamaica's Marcus Gayle scored the only goal in the 52nd minute to give the Reggaeboyz a
1-0 win over a West Bromwich's team that included former stalwarts Bryan Robson and
John Barnes. Jamaica's football technical director Rene Simoes praised his team saying
"They played to orders and displayed a lot more concentration," He also stated
that young players Winston Griffiths and Robert Scarlett were exceptional.
NORWAY 6, JAMAICA 0
May 20
Norway destroyed Jamaica's Reggae Boyz 6-0 in a friendly soccer game on
Thursday at the Ulleval stadium in Norway. Striker Tore Andre Flo scored twice for Norway.
Jamaica was able to contain their opponents in the first half which ended 1-0. Jamaica's
Darryl Powell hit the crossbar in the 11th minute and Onandi Lowe also had a good
chance in the first half. The second half saw the Reggae Boyz defense break as they were
over run by the strong Norway team giving up 5 goals. Goal scorers were Tore Andre Flo 5,
52, Steffen Iversen 70, Oyvind Leonhardsen 74, Tore Andre Dahlum 82, Andreas Lund
89. The game attendance was 9,630.
CARL BROWN SPEAKS OUT
Coach Carl Brown lashed out at the Jamaica Football Federation recently
stating that he was slowly pushed from the program. Speaking at a press conference Monday,
Brown said the program had become a nightmare and that he had been humiliated by Technical
Director Rene Simoes and the Jamaica Football Federation. Brown also stated that he
felt alienated and embarrassed by not been able to add valuable input to the team and at
times tension was so high that he could not function properly. In response the JFF said
that was not the case. Technical director Rene Simoes said despite meetings between the
two, Brown never expressed his feelings and could not say what was wrong. Simones states
that he was unclear what Brown's problem was and that the JFF had to move on with the
program.
SOUTH AFRICA & JAMAICA TIE 1-1
May 10
Theodore Whitmore scored to keep Jamaica's unbeaten record at home when they held
South Africa to a 1-1 scoreline at the National Stadium. Playing in wet and scrappy
conditions the Reggae Boyz played an exciting and entertaining game but failed to
capitalize on their early chances and allowed South Africa to take the lead 22 minutes
into the game. Jamaica's sensation Ricardo Fuller created havoc for the opponents as
Jamaica had the better of play for most of the half. In the 37th minute Whitmore equalized
with a beautiful left foot shot to the delight of the Jamaican supporters. The second half
saw the field and the game deteriorate due to the sloppy conditions. The Reggae Boyz was
bolstered by overseas based players Marcus Gayle, Paul Hall and Frank Sinclair. The game
was also watched by a the former wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, FIFA President
Sepp Blatter and a the leaders of more than 20 CONCACAF associations. South Africa
recently lost 2-0 to Trinidad.
CARL BROWN REPLACED
May 3
Two time Caribbean Cup winning coach Carl Brown was replaced as Jamaica's head coach by
Wendel Downswell, who currently trains the under 23 team. This was confirmed by Technical
Director Rene Simoes to RJR Sports saying that that he had not heard from Brown
since March 25 and said that the program must move on. Brown said he was surprised
by the news and would not comment on the issue until he had fully absorbed the details but
stated that he was disappointed that he was not contacted by the JFF.
APRIL
U 17 TEAM DEFEATED IN TOURNAMENT
April 22
The young "Reggae Boyz" finished bottom
of the standings in a four-nation tournament, which included Mexico, the United States
Jamaica and Morocco. The young Jamaicans, who qualified for the FIFA under-17 world youth
championship, lost 1-0 to the USA, 5-0 to Mexico and 1-0 to Morocco. The World Youth Cup
will be played November 10-27 in New Zealand.
JAMAICA DEFEAT PARAGUAY 3-0
April 1
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz extended their undefeated run at the National Stadium in
Jamaica to 37 games as they defeated 1998 World Cup Qualifer Paraguay 3-0. This win was
sweet revenge for the Boyz who recently lost 3-1 to Paraguay in the Copa Guatemala
International football tournament in Guatelama. Jamaica opened the scoring in the
third minute with a goal from Marcus Gayle and again just before half time when Theodore
Whitmore picked up a deflection and scored. The second half saw new Reggae Boyz David
Johnson striker of Ipswitch score in his first game at the stadium to give Jamaica a
convincing 3-0 win.
JAMAICA SLIPS ONE SPOT IN
FIFA/COCA-COLA RANKINGS
Jamaica slipped one spot to 40th in the latest FIFA/COCA-COLA world rankings.
Brazil, France, Croatia, Italy and Germany make up the top five spots.
MARCH
March 10
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz Second in Four Nation Tournament
Playing without many of their world cup starters, Jamaica played strong to finish
second in the Copa Guatemala International football tournament. Jamaica drew a hard
fought first game against Bolivia 0-0. With only four of their regular starters the new
look Jamaica team gave the more experienced Bolivian team a lot of trouble. Jamaica'
keeper Aron Lawrence saved a penalty while Jamaica missed one of their own.
Paraguay came from behind to defeat Jamaica
3-1 in their second game of the tournament. Jamaica dominated early and Whitmore put them
ahead in the 23 minute with a beautiful shot just outside the 18 yard box. Paraguay
equalized in the 43rd minute and then went ahead in 60th minute. Midway into the second
half the Boyz looked tired and came under intense pressure from their opponents who sealed
the game with a goal in the 85th minute.
In their final game against host Guatemala,
Jamaica soundly beat them 4-2 to capture second spot. Goalscorers were Fabian Davis who
converted two penalties, Theodore Whitmore and Richard Fuller. Defender Marco McDonald of
the Jamaican was sent off giving Guatemala the chance they needed to make the score
respectable. Paraguay was the winner of the tournament with the host finishing last.
Jamaica U17 Boys advance to U17
World cup
March 6
The Under 17 Youth World Cup CONCACAF qualifying competition saw
Jamaica and the United States playing to a 0-0 draw, giving Jamaica the top spot in the
group. Jamaica now becomes the first English speaking Caribbean team to advance to the
finals. Jamaica had earlier this week defeated Honduras 1-0 and Costa Rica 2-0
remaining undefeated in the group. The United States will be in the playoff for the other
remaining CONCACAF spot.
FEBRUARY
Costa Rica Trash Jamaica 9-0
Feb. 27
Jamaica suffered a humiliating 9-0 trashing from Costa Rica in their return game
in San Jose. This was the worst defeat for the Reggae Boyz in over five years. Jamaica,
playing without their English based players, conceded a first minute goal and was never
able to get it together, playing very poorly, below their capabilities. In the first leg
in Jamaica that game ended in a 1-1 tie.
UNDER 17 closer to World Cup Final
Round
Feb 27
In the Under 17 Youth World Cup CONCACAF qualifying competition, Jamaica defeated Honduras
1-0 and Costa Rica 2-0 to take an early lead in their group.The United States defeated
Honduras 3-0 and played played to a 2-2 tie with Costa Rica. The winner of this round will
automatically qualify for a spot in New Zealand, and the runner up will meet the second
place team in the other CONCACAF qualifying group for the final spot. Jamaica will play
the United States on Sunday.
Jamaica and Costa Rica play to 1-1
tie.
The Reggae Boyz started their 1999 season when they played to a 1-1 tie at the against
Costa Rica at Jamaica's National Stadium (the Office). Deon Burton , who came on as a
substitute in the second half scored the equalizer in the 83rd minute. Burton scored a
header from the edge of the box on a Paul Hall cross. Jamaica now has an unbeaten 37 game
at the National Stadium.
Players Fined by disciplinary
committee
Four members of Jamaica's national senior team were given fines and suspensions by the
Jamaica Football Federation disciplinary committee. Walter Boyd and Ian Gooodison were
fined $8,000 each and suspended for one match following a fight between them when, Arnett
Gardens and Olympic Gardens, met in the National Premier League. National goalkeeper and
captain Warren Barrett was handed a two-match suspension and fined $2,000 for abusing the
referee during the Violet Kickers' loss to Westland in the National A League. Also picking
up a fine was Dean Sewell, $2,000 for abusing the referee in a game between Constant
Spring and Tivoli Gardens. Sewell was a spectator.
Under 15 squad will compete in the
prestigious Mondial Tournament
The JFF announced last week that an Under 15 squad will compete in the prestigious Mondial
Tournament in France April 2-5. The four-day tournament is one of the most prestigious for
that age group.
Goalkeeper Warren Barrett has been
left out of squad
Arnett Gardens gaolkeeper Selvin Collins is the only newcomer to the 24-man Jamaica
national senior soccer squad, which will begin preparations for the Feb. 10 game against
Costa Rica at the National Stadium. World Cup captain and goalkeeper Warren Barrett has
been left out as Aaron "Wild Boy" Lawrence is the first-choice keeper. U.S.-
based Wolde Harris has been recalled, as is Richard Reeves of Waddadah.
JANUARY
Jamaica's Under-17 footballers lost three games and drew one on tour, in Brazil's Rio de
Janeiro Cup. This was in preparation for the CONCACAF Under-17 final Youth World Cup
qualifying tournament at Jarrett park, Montego Bay Feb. 24-28.
Jamaica's Under-17 squad is in Brazil
for a two-week training session. They will also take part in the Rio de Janeiro Under-17
cup that involves more than 30 teams. The tour of Brazil is being used to help prepare the
squad for the CONCACAF Under-17 final Youth World Cup qualifying tournament at Jarrett
park, Montego Bay Feb. 24-28.
Theodore Whitmore, scorer of two goals
for Jamaica in the World Cup finals tournament in France, and striker Walter Boyd are in
China for a one-week tryout with leading clubs in Shanghai. They will return in time to
prepare them for the friendly international against Costa Rica next month.
Jamaica's Under 20 footballers fell short in
their bid to qualify for the youth World Cup, losing to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. |
