Jamaica, T&T ready to rumble
By Adrian Frater (Jamaica Gleaner)
HOSTS Jamaica and arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) will be aiming for good performances tomorrow night, when they square off in the first of two friendly international football games at Montego Bay Stadium in St James, starting at 8:30 p.m.
"This is the beginning of our 'Road to Russia' 2018 campaign ... this is a chance to test some of our young, local-based players and the US-based players," said Reggae Boyz head coach Winfred Schäfer, during a press conference in Montego Bay yesterday.
"Presently, we are looking to build a team for the future with players who are of good character."
Following Friday night's game, which promises to be the first of many games the Jamaica football Federation (JFF) plans to stage in Montego Bay, the teams will journey to Trinidad for the return contest, at Hasely Crawford Stadium, next Tuesday.
"We are grateful for this opportunity to play these two games against Jamaica ... we are in a rebuilding phase in our programme ..., this should be a good test against a Jamaican team which was recently involved in a competitive World Cup campaign," said Stephen Hart, T&T's head coach.
He added: "We are hoping to put on a good performance that should provide the team with high-quality entertainment."
Testing their mettle
While the Reggae Boyz and the Soca Warriors will be testing their mettle on the lush green Catherine Hall surface, Jamaica Football Federation boss Captain Horace Burrell will be testing the readiness of the west to host international football.
"The support we get from this game on Friday night will go a long way in determining whether or not it is feasible to stage games here in western Jamaica," said Burrell. "The Catherine Hall facility is a small facility and even if it is full to capacity, that might not cover the cost of staging the game."
Fans utilising the bleachers, which holds approximately 4,000 fans, will be required to pay a $500 entry fee, while those occupying the grandstand, which includes the VIP area, will be asked to pay $1,000 and $1,500, respectively.
SQUADS:
JAMAICA: Richard McCallum (Waterhouse), Jermaine Anderson (Waterhouse), Montrose Phinn, (Harbour View), Kemar Lawrence (Harbour View), Brian Brown (Harbour View), Gariece McPherson (Cavalier SC), Keammar Daley (Tivoli Gardens), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps), Omar Daley (Minnesota United), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers), Deshorn Brown (Colorado Rapids), Jason Johnson (Houston Dynamo), Michael Seaton (DC United), Je-Vaughn Watson (FC Dallas), Dicoy Williams (Harbour View), Upston Edwards (Portmore United), Ricardo Morris (Portmore United), Jermaine Woozencraft (Montego Bay United), Andrew Vanzie (Portmore United), Insamnia Cohen (Manchester High School), Khesanio Hall (St Elizabeth Technical High School) and Adrian Reid (Portmore United)
T&T: Jan Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Point Fortin Civic), Justin Hoyte (Milwall), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Radanfah Abu Bakr (FC Vostok), Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps), Aubrey David (Caledonia AIA), Sheldon Bateua (KV Mechelen), Joevin Jones (W Connection), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), André Boucaud (Notts County), Kevan George (Colombus Crew), Keon Daniel (Philadelphia Union), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Lester Peltier (Caledonia AIA), Ataullah Guerra (Rovaniemen Palloseura), Rundell Winchester (Central FC), Kenwyne Jones (Stoke City/captain)