Dr Holt satisfied with Jamaica's readiness for qualifiers

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

With just two days to go before the start of the Jamaica women's hockey team's three-match qualifying series against Caribbean neighbours Cuba, Jamaica's head coach, Dr Michelle Holt, said her charges are ready and raring to go.

The winner of the series - which will be played at the Mona Hockey Field on October 28th, 30th and 31st - will advance next year's Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"I am satisfied that they know what they are doing. I am also satisfied that every player is aware of the tactical requirements that we have been practising for the last two and a half months," Dr Holt said in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday.

"We have a very speedy team and a few skilful players, who can take any team apart," she pointed out. "We also have some very good distributors of the ball in midfield and we also have some very strong defenders, who are solid in their stance," Dr Holt noted.

Practice games

The Jamaica team's head coach added that she has no idea of what the Cuba team is made up of, but they have intensified their training sessions with practice games against skilful players of past national male and female teams.

"I have no idea what the quality of Cuba is and so we have been playing against some very skilful opponents and so I am hoping that physically we can match them stride for stride," Dr Holt said.

"I think that physically they are fit, but we still have a few players who are carrying injuries and I think that we have the best set of players that I am able to assemble for this series."

Dr Holt noted that her main concern going to the tournament is the finishing of her strikers, because they have not been able to put away their scoring chances in front of goal.

"My greatest worry is that we are creating a lot of scoring opportunities, but we have not been able to take these opportunities and so I am really hoping that we can turn it around against the Cubans," she said.

"However, I think that we have been competing well in our practice games and if it comes to the point were we will have to play a defensive game because Cuba is extremely strong, then we will be able to do that," Dr Holt reasoned.