Reggae vs Soca @ The Office.
By: Ian Williams (Observer).
Tomorrow, the National Stadium will come alive when top two Caribbean football teams collide. The Reggae Boyz will play host to the Soca Warriors from Trinidad and Tobago in what is setting up to be a mouth-watering battle for supremacy. TEENage took the initiative of comparing the teams on paper as an appetiser for what will be on display tomorrow.
Defence vs Forwards
Jamaica should display the likes of Tranmere Rovers experienced defender Ian Goodison, along with the young and witty Demar Stewart, Toronto FC's Tyrone Marshall on the right flank and Bolton's Ricardo Gardener on the left. Trinidad, on the other hand should have the likes of Kenwyne Jones of Sunderland, Darryl Roberts, who apply his trade in Holland, and Collin Samuels of Toronto FC.
The likes of Goodison should be able to outsmart almost any forward in the Caribbean, but the question that is still left unanswered in everyone's mind is whether or not Goodison can keep a world class striker such as Jones quiet for 90 minutes.
Tyrone Marshall might have to a familiar face to look at in the likes of his Toronto FC teammate Collin Samuel. On the left, Gardener should be able to put up with any one thrown at him, but a bit of fatigue might pop up having felt the pace and with of Cristiano Ronaldo just last week.
Midfield Dominance
The Jamaican midfield should be packed with the likes of Rudolph 'Thunderbolt' Austin; Stoke City's Demar Phillips; Bradford's Omar Daley; the returning O'Neil Thompson and/or AIK Stockholm's Khari Stephenson. While their counterparts will have players like Carlos Edwards of Sunderland FC, Joe republic's Kerry Baptiste along with Keon Daniel and others. The Jamaican team is by far the most superior team talent wise on paper in the midfield, but in this game of football only what happens on the field counts.
Forwards vs Defence
The Jamaican team will be able to showcase the likes of 1998 wonder boy Deon Burton, Wigan Athletics Marlon King, the in form Ricardo fuller and possibly Luton Shelton. While the defensive duties for the Trinidadians should be in the hands of Kern Cupid of W Connection, Aurtis Whitely, Osei Telesford and Keyeno Thomas. With most of the Trinidadian defenders playing in their local Pro league they might have a hard time handling the Jamaican attackers all of who apply their trade in Europe. The speed of Shelton aided by the skill full foot works of Ricardo Fuller and the ever-preying Marlon King could keep the defence busy all night and it might just take a miracle to prevent them from not creating chances.
