Bell ready to play big part in Gold Cup campaign
Published:Wednesday | June 14, 2023 | 1:04 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
AS PREPARATIONS continue for the Concacaf Gold Cup, national defender Amari’i Bell is determined to play a more pivotal role than his last encounter to get Jamaica to a historic maiden continental title win.
The team members are currently in Austria as their Pre-Gold Cup camp got under way earlier this week with their first warm-up against Gold Cup guests Qatar tomorrow morning at the Stadion Wiener Neustadt.
With a little more than a week to go before their tournament opener against defending champions, the United States, Bell said that the Reggae Boyz are looking to put the pieces together by replicating past deep runs.
“That is the objective. It was a great experience at the last Gold Cup but this one I want to play more and go on to bigger things, which is something that we all want to do. We don’t want to feel that same disappointment previously as well,” Bell said.
“So we are going to do everything that we can to go all the way. As long as I play my part and we go on and win the tournament, then it will be an amazing year.”
Bell will be familiar with the camp environment in Austria as it is the same place where he made his international debut two years ago against the United States under then head coach, Theodore Whitmore. He would play in his first continental tournament in 2021, playing in the first three games but watching from the bench in the quarterfinals when they lost to the United States.
Bell is hoping to play a more active role this time around in their quest to get back to another final, hoping to further the vision of head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson
“We know that we have a good team, so it is about putting the building blocks in place. Since coach (Hallgrimsson) has come in, I feel like we have started to gel more. We got some good results against some good teams. It gives me a lot of confidence and belief. I know I have to do whatever he says and does,” Bell said.
“Every time I wear the Jamaican jersey I just have to give it my all and leave everything out on the pitch.”
Bell is also hoping that this is the necessary launchpad for a successful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
“The goal is to work towards 2026 and qualify for that which everyone believes we can. So it is about improving,” Bell said.
The squad for the Gold Cup is expected to be announced today.