Gustav strikes again! Forces JFF to switch Reggae Boyz's fixture with MexicoHoward Walker, Observer staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Digicel's Sponsorship Executive Tracy Ann Thelwell (left) welcomes Reggae Boyz's captain Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner (right) and Deon Burton (second right) home at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. The Boyz came in for the switched Jamaica vs Mexico World Cup Qualifier, which will now take place at the Azteca in Mexico City on Saturday. Jamaica's crucial home World Cup qualifying game against Mexico scheduled for this Saturday has been shifted to October 11, and instead, the Reggae Boyz will now hurriedly travel to the Azteca for their second consecutive away game on the campaign on Saturday. The Captain Horace Burrell-led Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) requested the change after the passing of Tropical Storm Gustav last Thursday, and approval was granted by the world governing body FIFA, in reversing the playing dates. Gustav hit Jamaica between last Thursday and Friday, but the island continued to feel the effects until last Saturday with heavy rainfalls which caused flooding to several areas resulting in the lost of at least 10 lives. "This we feel is the right decision in light of what has happened. After the passing of Gustav and having looked at the surface of the stadium, we met with the minister of sports and discussed the massive destruction throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica and with the low morale at this time, we decided to ask FIFA for a change of date," Captain Burrell told the Observer yesterday. "The dislocation to scores of residents in numerous communities, including a lack of electricity and running water, destruction of roads, bridges and houses, would prove extremely challenging for the country," Captain Burrell pointed out. Ian 'Pepe' Goodison (left) signs on the cast of Digicel's Sponsorship Executive Tracy Ann Thelwell, shortly after his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. Goodison and other overseas-based Reggae Boyz flew in for the World Cup Qualifier against Mexico, now slated for the Azteca in Mexico City on Saturday. The game was originally slated for the National Stadium at 1:00 pm. "The authorities are far from being confident in having the venue (National Stadium) ready for the afore-mentioned game and especially in light of another tropical storm (Hanna) forecast to affect Jamaica later in the coming week with significant rainfall," he added. Delmanda Fisher, administrator at the Independence Park Limited, operators of the stadium facilities, concurred with the JFF that the playing field would not be ready for any game. "As a result of the storm we wouldn't have been able to prepare the field over those two days as scheduled for the event. As such the field is not in any condition for an international game," she told the Observer. Jamaica opened their World Cup campaign with an away 1-1 draw with Canada and were hoping to utilise their home advantage for their second game to put them in a good position early in the group. Jamaica had planned the game for 1:00 pm to utilise the hot temperature which they felt would be an advantage. But Hurricane Gustav threw that idea through the windows and now the Reggae Boyz will have to face the thin air at the Azteca, earlier than they had expected. In fact, with this change of venue, Jamaica, who will play Honduras next Wednesday, September 10, will now play their first three games away from home. "What this means is that we would have played all our away games then we would be coming home for the final three games. As professionals we have to be prepared so we just have to go there and perform. I am expecting nothing less," a confident Captain Burrell stated. But he was more subdued when he thought of the economics of playing three consecutive games away from home. "There is a big downside to it because we will not be earning any revenue from the away games, so it will be a burden. But we hope to overcome these challenges by asking the government to assist, of which we are confident will come. "We just want to thank minister Grange, who showed great understanding and gave great support when we explained the circumstances to FIFA," said the JFF boss. The Reggae Boyz are expected to arrive in Mexico on Friday for Saturday's game and Captain Burrell thinks the timing is just perfect. "Arrangements are now being made for us to leave as a group on Friday. Getting there the day before is the best option. In other words, so don't get affected by the rarified air which normally affects you after 48 hours. It will not be a factor," he said confidently. According to Captain Burrell, the JFF regrets any inconvenience caused by the changes taken in the best interest of the country.
Warlord the ghetto hoodrat Wanksta mark a** trick banging through the internet LOL!! got sonned trick!! Get back to your corner & keep on slanging for MARA out in DC....Keep your dirty h*e out of our threads!! Mexico 3 - Jayymaica 0... ya maan! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBEGuf8PpxY
Good game you guys, I give you guys props for not bunkering, but some of your players are really dirty. Overall good game.
We cannot lose this game - Simoes Ian Burnett @ World cup Qualifiers in Honduras Tuesday, September 09, 2008 SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras - The aim of the Reggae Boyz when they take on Honduras here at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano tomorrow at 7:30 pm (8:30 pm Jamaica time) is simple. Don't lose the game! That's the view of technical director Rene Simoes. Technical director of Jamaica's football, Brazilian Rene Simoes (2nd right), responds to questions from a member of the Honduran press shortly after the team arrived in the Central American country on Sunday for the Reggae Boyz's CONCACAF World Cup qualifying game in San Pedro Sula against the hosts tomorrow. (Photo: Edwin Neptali Romero) "We cannot lose the game, that is the first thing to put into our minds," declared Simoes yesterday morning. "If they (Honduras) win, they have two more home games and they can get to 12 points, which would be out of our hands," he added. And that would result in Jamaica being only able to garner a maximum 10 points if they won their remaining three home matches. Following their 0-3 loss to Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in their second game of the CONCACAF Semi-Final Round World Cup Qualifying series on Saturday, Jamaica are now at the bottom of the four-team Group B points table with one point, the same as Canada, but with an inferior goal difference. Mexico lead with maximum six points from two games, three ahead of Honduras, who scored a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Canada in Montreal, also on Saturday. The Hondurans were expected in the Central American country last night, having stopped over in Miami, USA, the previous day. In yesterday's edition of the daily sports tabloid, Golazo, it said the Reggae Boyz left the Customs area at the San Pedro Sula Airport like "a soul being taken to the devil". The Boyz, the paper said, refused interviews, but Simoes and members of his technical staff obliged. The technical boss conceded that his players had dropped their heads following the loss on Saturday, but promised that they would rebound on Wednesday. "So far they will be okay, we are confident they will recover for Wednesday. They were down, not because of the loss to Mexico, but because of their performance," he said. Simoes added: "We've talked about it individually with the players, exactly what happened, and they are faring much better now." He said there was no area of satisfaction in the match against Mexico, "which is a shame, we didn't play, the first time we kicked to the goalkeeper was Fuller (Ricardo) near half time." The little Brazilian is expecting Honduras to play a 4-2 formation with the midfield employing a diamond shape, a system his Boyz have yet to oppose. "We need to do some adjustments, overall," was all he was prepared to divulge. The team was scheduled to have a training session, probably their most intense, last night at 7:30 here at the Estadio Francisco Morazan. It was expected to be a closed door session, used to emphasis tactical and team strategies. On Sunday night a number of players, mainly those who did not play the entire 90 minutes of the game against Mexico and the reserves, were taken through a two-hour session at the Estadio Francisco Morazan by assistant coaches Alfredo Montesso and Theodore Whitmore, while the others did a swimming poll session at the hotel under the guidance of physical trainer Sean Samuels. Ian 'Pepe' Goodison, who is suffering from a right leg injury, and captain Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner, who is recovering from an adductor muscle (groin) strain, were rested, though they accompanied the team to the stadium for training. Doctor Charlie Roberts, head of the team's medical staff, said that both players have been responding well to treatment and should be ready for action on Wednesday. "Since the injury on Saturday we have rested him (Goodison) and employed all management procedures - rest, ice, compression, elevation and electrical physical modalities, which comprise ultrasound and electrical stimulation," reasoned Dr Roberts. "He has been with held from training today (yesterday), as well as we will continue the present mode of treatment to be followed by an examination later today. "If all proceed well, we expect him to have a light workout tomorrow (today), but mentally he is as strong as we all know him to be, which is a major component of the recovery process. He ready for the challenge," noted the team doctor, who added that most of the swelling on Goodison's right leg has gone down with compression treatment. The player was severely hacked near half time by a high, studded challenge by Mexican skipper Rafael Marquez, who was surprisingly issued with only a yellow card warning, instead of the obligatory red card expulsion. "Goodison told me he would play the game and the doctor said he should be able to play as well," confirmed Simoes. Meanwhile Dr Roberts said Gardner "played Saturday with negligible discomfort, and was left out of training on Sunday night", as a precaution. "I expect everybody to train today (yesterday), except Goodison," added Dr Roberts. There were also minor concerns regarding Rudolph Austin, who is suffering from muscle fatigue in his lower limbs. "He will be treated with rest and light massages," revealed Dr Roberts, who noted that he was "not worried about it, we will just make sure his hydration and electrolytes are replete".
Bolt to di worl'! Crowds brave rain to welcome home Olympic championBY KIMONE THOMPSON Observer senior reporter thompsonk@jamaicaobserver.com Tuesday, September 09, 2008 The heavy rains that pelted the island yesterday were not enough to dampen the spirit of hundreds of Jamaicans who lined the streets of Kingston to welcome home Olympic champion Usain Bolt who broke two world records and had a hand in a third at the Beijing Olympics last month. The skies were black, signalling the fury to be unleashed, but fans were undaunted. For the entire stretch of road between the Norman Manley International Airport and the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, housewives, grandmothers, pregnant women, professionals, schoolchildren, men, boys and girls stood in the pouring rain, singing Bolt's praises. Double Olympic champion and World Record holder in the 100m and 200m Usain Bolt gives his now trademark pose after exiting the Virgin Atlantic aircraft on his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday. At left is Sports Minister Olivia Grange. Bolt received a hero's welcome from excited Jamaicans along the route from the airport to the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. (Photos: Bryan Cummings and Collin Reid) Others crowded the corridors and sidewalks outside their offices, congregated on low roof tops or peered through the windows of high rise buildings. They took time off from work, paused household chores, delayed taking the children home from school and put off their homework. They faced the slanting rain, waded in water which was at times ankle-deep, and many of them trekked all the way from the Palisadoes road to the Pegasus. "I feel like ah dog wid ten tails," said Jenny Jamieson as she stood at the Harbour View round-a-bout yesterday. "Mi ah tek mi lunch time now cause mi haffi deh yah so. Mi love Usain Bolt. Him mek Jamaica proud and di way mi proud ah him mi haffi come show mi love," she added, as she paid for a green, black and gold wrist band and a Jamaican flag. Unlike Jamieson, who took time off work, Joyce Allen, an elderly woman from Yallahs, St Thomas, was home with nothing doing. Fans squeal in excitement as they reach out to touch the BMW carrying Olympic champion Usain Bolt on Mountain View Avenue in east Kingston yesterday. Bolt, who broke the 100 and 200 m world records at the 29th Olympiad in Beijing last month, came home to a hero's welcome yesterday. Members of Government, including Prime Minister Bruce Golding and minister of sport Olivia 'Babsy' Grange met him on the tarmac at the Norman Manley International Airport and escorted him to the Jamaica Pegasus where he was the subject of press conference. (Photo: Naphtali Junior) "Me hear it on the 12 o' clock news and mi just jump in mi car and come down here," she said. "He's a hero. I have heard so much about him and I just want to see him in person." And as much as the occasion drew hundreds of fans, it also drew peddlers who made quick cash from the sale of flags, buttons, bracelets, wristbands and even shoes and school bags in the black, green and gold. "Cho, look how di place black up man. Ah hope him come before the rain enuh," a woman in the growing crowd was overheard saying. She did not have her wish however, as within a matter of minutes, heavy drops sent fans scurrying for cover. Where they did not have rain coats, or where umbrellas where made useless by gusty winds, people used cardboard boxes and pieces of carton or plastic bags. Then there were others who, apparently caught up in Beenie Man's Heart Attack and Mavado's On The Rock blaring from two vehicles parked nearby, just let the rain soak them. When at 1:55 pm a van coming from the direction of the airport announced via loud speaker that Bolt's plane had landed, the crowd became ignited, screaming, dancing, shouting. Eager to get the first glimpse of the lankly sprinter, they wandered out into the road blocking traffic from the airport. By the time the deep burgundy BMW with the word 'Digicel' emblazoned on the hood and back windshield appeared, the crowd was in such a frenzy that the convoy could barely make it through. Fans grabbed onto the sides and jumped onto the hood, trying to get Bolt's attention. Although his car was a convertible, he had to satisfy himself with just an open window since it was pouring. "Usain, Usain, Usain" chanted a group of students from Donald Quarrie High School. "To di worl'", others shouted. "Bolt to di worl'". Buoyed by excitement, the more avid of the fans decided to make the trek to the Jamaica Pegasus where Bolt was to be the subject of a press conference. Some drove, some hitch-hiked, others walked. And all along the route - via Rockfort, Mountain View Avenue, Arthur Wint Drive, Tom Redcam Avenue and Oxford Road - more kept joining. The Observer caught up with a young man in the vicinity of Excelsior High School on Mountain View Avenue who said he had been following the convoy from the time it left the airport. His white T-shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers were drenched but he didn't seem to mind. "It more than worth it, baby. It more than worth it," he told this reporter. Maurice Taylor, an employee of the Companies Office of Jamaica, agreed. "I wouldn't care if [my bosses are upset that I am out here]. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This don't happen everyday," he said standing at the corner of Oxford Road and Knutsford Boulevard. He worked through lunch, he said, so that he could leave early and see history unfold. At 4:30 pm it did. "This is the second greatest day in history," he exclaimed. "The first was when he broke the 100m record... I woulda like fi bottle da day yah and tek ah sip ah it when mi down," he said, before racing to get "better shots" of Bolt. Big up Bolt yuh mek mi and Millions of Jamaicans proud. That little island guh do big tings. Number 1 in the World.
Yo Warlord mi expect at least a draw because mi notice dem play better after every loss so far. Mi woulda love fi dem fi get the 3pts.
Battle for survival! Boyz seek point from Honduras to stay aliveIAN BURNETT, Sports Editor Wednesday, September 10, 2008 San Pedro Sula, Honduras - Midfielder Jermaine Hue (centre) and teammates go through their paces at a training session on Monday ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Honduras today. San Pedro Sula, Honduras - The margin for error has suddenly become nil. That's the situation Jamaica's senior footballers face when they oppose a buoyant Honduras here at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano at 7:30 pm (8:30 pm Jamaica time) today in their Group B CONCACAF Semi-Final round 2010 South Africa World Cup Qualifying Series. Dubbed the 'Group of Death', from which two teams will advance to the final round of six, for all intents and purposes, unfavourable results today for any of the bottom two teams, Canada and Jamaica, could signal the end of the campaign, though not necessarily mathematically. Mexico lead the four-team group with maximum six points ahead of Honduras on three, with Canada and Jamaica on one point each. Mexico host Canada at the Tuxtla Gutierrez today, seeking their third straight win at home, having carved out a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Honduras on August 20, and a comprehensive 3-0 hammering of Jamaica last Saturday. Canada are probably in the worst position, having garnered just a solitary point from their two home games, being held 1-1 by Jamaica in Toronto on August 20, then surrendering a 1-0 lead to lose 1-2 to Honduras in Montreal last Saturday. San Pedro Sula, Honduras - Jamaica's technical director Rene Simoes (centre, foreground) is surrounded by journalists on arrival in Honduras at the weekend. After today's game, Jamaica will head home for three games on the trot but for technical director Rene Simoes, the task is simple. Don't lose the game! "We cannot lose the game, that is the first thing to put into our minds," Simoes told the Observer. "If they (Honduras) win, they have two more home games and they can get to 12 points, which would be out of our hands," he added. And that would result in Jamaica being only able to garner a maximum 10 points, providing they win their remaining three home matches. In eight meetings between the two countries in World Cup Qualifying, Honduras hold the advantage with four wins, two losses and two draws, and in the four games played in the Central American country, Honduras have won three times and drawn once. ccording to Observer research, Jamaica have lost 0-1 on their last two trips to Honduras in Tegucigalpa on September 5, 2001 and October 8, 2000. But the last time the Boyz visited San Perdo Sula at a game played at the Estadio Francisco Morazan, the game ended goalless. The Boyz also lost 1-3 on December 5, 1968 in Honduras. On the other hand, Jamaica have won twice, lost once and drawn once in fixtures at the National Stadium. The victories were 3-1 and 3-0 on July 23, 2000 and September 15, 1996, respectively. They drew 1-1 on April 25, 2001 and lost 0-2 on December 8, 1968. Still smarting from last Saturday's loss to Mexico, Jamaica's captain Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner concurred with Simoes on the way forward. "This is a very important game that we cannot afford to lose. We will give 110 per cent on the pitch, even the players coming off the bench, in order to get a positive result. We will enter this game with a positive attitude," the Bolton Wanderers veteran player promised. He will have to deliver if he hopes to lead the Boyz into a second World Cup Finals appearance in South Africa in two years' time, and with a chartered flight filled with supporters arriving yesterday from the Cayman Islands, there could be that sprinkling of support to spur the Boyz to the much needed result in what is expected to be a capacity crowd at the stadium. One fan who will be throwing his support behind the Reggae Boyz is the president of the Cayman Islands Football Association, Jeff Webb. "This is a big, big game and I had to be here to support the Boyz," he told the Observer yesterday, as he prepared to welcome about three bus loads of supporters who had landed outside of San Pedro Sula on the direct charter flight from the Caribbean. The sprinkling of support aside, Simoes accepted responsibility for an ill-advised programme which led to last Saturday's debacle. "I am to be blamed!" he screamed. "I did the programme, and unfortunately it didn't work. We came here (Mexico) very late. I am tired, so imagine the players if I am tired," added Simoes, whose team was also hassled by a hoard of eager journalists immediately upon exit of customs on arrival at the Mexico City airport on Friday evening. Now the little Brazilian has promised that the team would rebound today. "The performance of some of the players today (Saturday) was awful, but against Honduras it will be different. I told the players to be cool, and let's learn from our mistakes and correct them against Honduras. "We need to do some adjustments, overall," he added, refusing to elucidate, for fear of showing his hands too early. And having scouted the Hondurans against Canada, he is expecting the home side to employ a 4-4-2 formation with the four midfielders utilising a diamond shape. As a consequence, Simoes held a closed-door training session at the Estadio Francisco Morazan on Monday night, where he placed emphasis on the team's defensive structure. With left back Gardner and central defender Ian 'Pepe' Goodison rested because of injury, Simoes utilised Obrian Woodbine at left back, Tyrone Marshall at right back and Jermaine Taylor and Shavar Thomas in central defence. The initial drill was to maintain the structure of the team against a handful of attacking players, before he introduced Evan Taylor and Keneil Moodie (in the absence of Rudolph Austin) to lend support as defensive midfielders. The other players trained separately. The technical boss would not divulge his starting team, but one thing is certain, left-sided midfielder Demar Phillips is suspended, having picked up his second yellow card warning on Saturday. He was booked in the 23rd minute in the first game against The Bahamas for pulling his shirt over his face after scoring, followed by a 39th minute booking against the Mexicans. Another training session was scheduled for the game venue at game time last night, where Gardner, along with Goodison, who suffered a crunching, studded tackle on his inner right thigh and leg by Mexican skipper Rafael Marquez, and Austin were expected to participate. ustin was being rested after suffering from muscle fatigue in his lower limbs, but they are all expected to take their place in the starting line-up for the 105th ranked Reggae Boyz, alongside the outstanding Donovan Ricketts in goal, Jermaine Taylor, Evan Taylor, Marshall, Wolry Wolfe, Andy Williams, Ricardo Fuller and Deon Burton or Luton Shelton. Meanwhile, the Hondurans - who ranked 45 places above the Jamaicans - arrived in their homeland on Monday night, after staying overnight in Miami on their way from the Montreal game. The man responsible for their win was Ramon Nunez, who hit both goals. He replaced the wily Julio Cesar de Leon, who was axed by coach Reinaldo Rueda, after the Parma player criticised him. Outside of David Suazo, possibly the best striker in the region, and Nunez, Honduras also boast quality players such as captain Amado Guavera, a teammate of Marshall at Toronto FC in Major League Soccer; Wilson Palacious and Maynor Figueroa of England's Wigan Athletic and Edgard Alvarez of Pisa in Italy.
Haffi cut outta work early fi run home an ketch this one....like Coach sey....DON'T LOSE. But mi waan 3 points!
yow kingman..wi haffi win this yah one yah. draw nah seh nutten. 3pts puts the pressure back on Honduras to win.
hey man, was goin on man! lol reminds me of that steven segal movie where he pwns those twin jamaican ganstas.
Rene Simoes fired! September 11, 2008Football - News President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell has fired Technical Director Rene Simoes after Jamaica’s poor showing in the current World Cup campaign. Speaking quietly from the aircraft in San Pedro Sula, Burrell confirmed Simoes’s dismissal to JamaicaWin.com. Only one question could be posed to the head of the Federation who was on the tarmac ready to leave for Miami. When asked to confirm the dismissal he whispered, “Yes”. Jamaica drew with Canada 1-1 before losing to Mexico 0-3 and the lost 0-2 to Honduras last night. Simoes guided Jamaica to the World Cup finals in France 1998. He returned to Jamaica in January to take up the post after Captain Burrell had dismissed Bora Mulatinovic who held the job for one year. Simoes is the second Brazilian to be fired by Captain Burrell after losing to Honduras, as Clovis Oliviera was fired in 2001 after losing 0-1 to the same team, also in a World Cup qualifier. A replacement will be named next week. Jamaica continue their quest for a place in the CONCACAF final group of six with three homes games. The first is against Mexico at the National Stadium on October 11. Earl Bailey Editor - www.JamaicaWin.com