New under-20 coach sets sights on World Cup, Olympics
Published:Friday | March 18, 2022 | 12:07 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Newly appointed national under-20 youth coach, Marcel Gayle, says he will do everything to help the young team qualify for the men’s Under-20 World Cup, as well as the men’s Olympic football tournament.
The Concacaf Under-20 Men’s Championship will not only serve as the qualifier for the 2023 Under-20 World Cup, but also for the 2024 Olympic Games. All four semi-finalists will advance to the Under-20 World Cup, and the two finalists will take the two automatic Olympic spots.
“It’s an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime, so, most definitely, I want to leave a mark of success on this team,” Gayle, who is also Waterhouse FC’s head coach, told The Gleaner.
“I would want some more time to prepare, but I just have to make use of what time I have, because I intend to do my best in my capacity as coach to get success. I will do my best and give 100 per cent, as country comes first and it’s a great opportunity to lead the young changes, our next generation of players in the country. I just hope we can get things together and we can get the best out of them and qualify,” he said.
The Concacaf Under-20 Championship takes place in Honduras from June 18 to July 3. Jamaica will play in Group H alongside the hosts, Antigua and Barbuda, and Costa Rica.
The top three teams in each of the four groups will advance to the round of 16, where they are joined by the four teams that progressed from the 2021 Concacaf Under-20 Championship qualifiers.
Gayle believes Jamaica has the quality players to become a competitive side, and the fact that more and more young players are being introduced to professional football is a plus.
“It is very hard to say how much quality we have at this time, but we have quality in the country, and at this level we know we can compete. The plus is that these are professional players. A lot of our 18- and 19-year-olds are playing professional football, and that augers well for us,” he said.
He continued: “I intend to do a good job. We will open the door to all options (overseas players included). I believe that the best team must play at all times, so we must have our best team on the field at all times,” he stated.