SAO PAULO, Brazil — The practice match for Jamaica’s Under-17 footballers against UNIAO Sao Joao De Araras, which was scheduled for yesterday, was postponed and will instead be played today at 4:00 pm (1:00 pm Jamaica time), 74 miles away from the Traffic Academy here.

UNIAO Sao Joao De Araras Under-18s are said to be a much better team than Saltense and the Jamaicans will have to step up another notch if they are going to get anything from this game.

UNIAO Sao Joao De Araras is also the first professional club of great Brazilian left back, Roberto Carlos, who played there for three years between 1990-93 as a teenager.

The young Reggae Boyz, who lost their first match 2-3 to Saltense on Sunday, had two training sessions yesterday starting with some recovery work in the swimming pool at 6:00 am and strengthening work in the evening.

Head coach Wendell Downswell said physical trainer Andre Waugh took the players through their paces and he was pleased with what transpired.

“The youngsters worked very well and we have structured the programme in such a way that the fitness will take precedent, especially in this early stage,” he told the Observer.

“We have up the tempo and we are particularly pleased with what we have seen… tomorrow (today) we play a game and we will have a light training session for 45 minutes on some tactical work before leaving for the game,” Downswell added.

In the first practice game, the head coach rested some of his better players to have a look at some players he didn’t see before, but today he said the team will consist of more of the established players.

“This will be a more formidable starting 11 as we are taking our shape. We are looking at the composition of the midfield and within the next two games, we will sort that out,” said Downswell.