Boyz begin 2014 campaign

Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sport

Tyrone Marshall

THERE'S no desperation for the Reggae Boyz to beat Canada by a six-goal margin this time, amid hope that it will enhance chances of moving forward in a World Cup campaign.

Instead, the Jamaicans are looking to spring some very hopeful signals for the next World Cup campaign, when they tackle the Canadians in an international friendly football match at the National Stadium today, which is set to kick off at 6 p.m.

The last time both teams met here, in CONCACAF semi-final round qualifying in November 2008, Jamaica needed a six-love victory to clear their advance into the final round against a Canada team already certain to be eliminated.

The teams had already played to a 1-1 finish in the corresponding World Cup fixture in Canada, when Rene Simoes fielded an under-strength Jamaica squad.

Jamaica won the return game 3-0 to finish with 12 points, the same as Mexico, but were eliminated due to an inferior goal difference.

Otherwise, the Canadians have proven a hard nut to crack for Jamaica, winning seven of the 15 contests between the two. Five have ended in draws and Jamaica won three.

The Canadians also beat the Reggae Boyz 1-0 when they last met at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Los Angeles, California, in July last year. It was a game that Jamaica dominated big time, but wasted countless chances.

Ironically, as the Boyz officially launch their project for the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil, goal-scoring is prime on their agenda.

Much of the focus at training this past week has centred around finishing and though it wasn't at the level sought by head coach Theodore Whitmore, putting away chances remains a key item on the Jamaicans' list of priorities.

Commenting after their training session at Tivoli Gardens on Friday afternoon, Whitmore said: "We will do another light session of shooting. You know, you can never do too much of that as you know we have a problem scoring goals and hopefully we'll be ready for Sunday's game."

He added: "I have seen some improvement, but one cannot over-emphasise shooting."

The team had one final workout yesterday and Ryan Johnson, a new striker who is based in the United States, looks set to make his debut on the basis that he was finishing well in training, thus playing his way into the process of identifying talent for a player-pool geared towards the real thing.

Most of the players in the squad are already known to the coaching staff though. They are also fairly established in the national set-up, many play professionally and the vast majority are young enough to stand up to the rigours of the next Cup campaign, injury forbidding.

Some among the professional lot include Luton Shelton, Omar Cummings, Rodolph Austin, Demar Phillips, Jason Morrison, Eric Vernan and Shavar Thomas.

Tyrone Marshall, one of the older members of the squad, is a stalwart who always provides solid guidance and leadership through his commanding play.

young players

Additionally, almost all members of the squad who play locally are under 25 years and have been generally playing fairly well and regularly in recent international fixtures.

They include goalkeeper Dwayne Miller, central defenders Jermaine Taylor, Dicoy Williams and Adrian Reid, central midfielder Richard Edwards, as well as premier league top scorer Devon Hodges and the lively Tivoli Gardens pair of Navion Boyd and Keammar Daley, who are capable of adding much excitement and quality.

Concerns have been raised about creativity, but Whitmore says he will not place too much emphasis on that at this time.

"It's a rebuilding process ... we have a lot of time, but when we reach that bridge, we will cross it."

Reggae Boyz coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore (right) sharing a joke with several players after a press conference at the Cuddyz Sports Bar and Restaurant on Thursday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer