Peru friendly a key step towards W Cup berth

Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaica's upcoming test against Peru at the Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is seen by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) as another key step towards getting the team ready for next year's start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

The JFF earlier this week confirmed the friendly international against the 39th ranked South Americans scheduled for September 7, 2010, two days after a clash inside the National Stadium against Costa Rica.

The Reggae Boyz recorded a 3-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago in the twin-island republic; and before that they lost 2-0 to South Africa in April; were beaten by a last-minute goal in a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in February; prior to beating Canada 1-0 inside the National Stadium, courtesy of a Luton Shelton strike.

JFF president, Captain Horace Burrell, underlined the importance of keeping the team active, and pointed to their upcoming assignments at the Digicel Caribbean Cup later this year and the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup as other key outings for the team ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup push.

"It's our policy, we have to keep the team active. Right now, the Reggae Boyz are preparing for the Digicel Caribbean Cup towards the end of the year, and also the Gold Cup, and they definitely need these kinds of tests," Burrell noted. "We have to get the team ready for the start of the next World Cup campaign so, with that in mind, this is a very important period for us."

Burrell expressed delight at the upcoming increased activity for the team, while explaining that he got some help from the United States football authorities for the staging of this game.

"I'm very happy that we will be able to stage this game. We gave a commitment to the country that we will have the Reggae Boyz play as often as possible and, though difficult, we have worked hard and we are now able to confirm this game against Peru as well," Burrell noted.

"Our supporters in Florida have always asked to see the team play in their area, and this is a golden opportunity and, therefore, I would like to use this medium to encourage the Jamaican and Caribbean fans to wear their colours and come out and support the team," he added.

The Peru friendly is expected to get under way at 7 p.m. (Jamaica time).

10 overseas-based players invited

Meanwhile, head coach Theodore Whitmore has invited 10 overseas-based players to his squad for the September 5 friendly against Costa Rica inside the National Stadium. It is not clear if all these players will also be available for the Peru encounter.

The contingent includes Nicholas Addlery (Puerto Rico Islanders), who last played for Jamaica in a 1-0 win over El Salvador in the 2009 Gold Cup, and Omar Daley (Bradford City FC) who last played in February 2009 against Nigeria. Luton Shelton (Valarenga FC), who was the lone goalscorer in the Reggae Boyz last victory over Canada on home soil, has also been invited. Other overseas invitees are: Donovan Ricketts, Shavar Thomas, Ryan Johnson, Omar Cummings, Dane Richards, Demar Phillips and Jason Morrison.