‘I feel only positivity’

HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON, head coach of Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, says despite a short turnaround time between preparation and the Concacaf Gold Cup, Jamaica can expect its national team to do well.

Hallgrimsson was speaking ahead of Reggae Boyz’s international friendlies against Qatar set for later today at 11:00 a.m. Jamaica time. The game will be one of two, with the Reggae Boyz set to take on Jordan on Monday. That game begins at 7:00 a.m. local time.

“We didn’t have much time to prepare, so we’re really focusing on one opponent at a time. I know what kind of opponent they are (Qatar), and I know that they’ll be enthusiastic and hard-working players facing us. I feel only positivity in our squad. It’s an upbeat one. Of course, the main focus is to be ready when the Gold Cup starts, but all preparation matches are important,” said the Icelandic coach.

John Wall, assistant coach of the Reggae Boyz, added that both upcoming fixtures shouldn’t be taken for granted as Qatar, who back in February appointed the experienced Carlos Queiroz as their head coach, was looking to make an impact as soon as possible while Jordan was a team that was flying under the radar.

“Their (Qatar’s) head coach wants to impose all of his style from early on. I think that change in itself is going to bring some interesting dynamics to the game, the hunger of the players that are within their squad. For Jordan, I think that they’re an underrated team who are flying under the radar,” said Wall.

Hallgrimsson also said that the Boyz would be using their time in Austria to adequately prepare the group and take full advantage of the top-tier facilities available.

“We are going to use this time really well to prepare the guys that are here. We are thankful for the guys that are here. These are very good facilities with good training pitches, so we will be using this as well as we can,” said Hallgrimsson.

In Jamaica’s squad for the two friendly internationals is former Kingston College’s standout Dujuan Richards, who according to Hallgrimsson, has impressed.

“You have physical strength, you have speed, along with a really good left and right foot. In that package you have a highly confident 17-year-old who is a goal scorer. So it’s rare that you have all of that in one package, and he’s been good in the training sessions,” said Hallgrimsson.

Jamaica, who play in Group A of the Gold Cup, along with the United States, Nicaragua, and either Curaçao, St Kitts and Nevis, French Guiana or Sint Maarten, begin their campaign on June 24. They open against the United States at Soldier Field in Chicago.

orane.buchanan@gleanejrm.com

Reggae Boyz’ Squad to face Qatar and Jordan

Goalkeepers

Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)

Jahmali Waite (Pittsburgh Riverhounds S.C)

Coniah Boyce-Clarke (Reading)

Defenders

Amari’I Bell (Luton Town)

Di’ Shon Bernard (Portsmouth)

Richard King (IBV)

Joel Latibeaudiere (Swansea)

Adrian Mariappa (Salford City)

Dexter Lembikisa (Wolves)

Javain Brown (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Midfielders

Kevon Lambert (Phoenix Rising)

Jon Russell (Barnsley)

Delano Splatt (Fulham)

Brandon Cover (Leicester City)

Daniel Johnson (Preston North End)

Forwards

Kaheem Parris (Dynamo Kyiv)

Shamar Nicholson (Spartak Moscow)

Cory Burke (New York Red Bulls)

Dujuan Richards (Phoenix Academy)