Under-23s on the improve as they head for qualifiers
National Under-23 head coach Alfredo Montesso is impressed with the improvement shown by the team before tomorrow’s departure to Suriname for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) first round Olympic qualifiers.
In yesterday’s final preparation game, the Young Reggae Boyz pipped promoted Premier League team Highgate United 1-0 at the Winchester Park playfield at St George’s College, thanks to a strike from Jason Johnson.
Said Montesso: “It (the match) was very good and I’m very impressed with the learning process that the team has been through. Highgate is a very tough team that we also played on Wednesday… they are a very organised and strong team and they gave us a competitive game in our final preparation for the Olympic qualifier.”
In a closely fought contest, Johnson broke the deadlock in the first half when he tapped in from six yards out after a defence-splitting run and cross from speedy right flanker Levaughn Williams.
In the previous practice match on Wednesday at Gray’s Inn in Annotto Bay, Highgate’s Christopher Harris scored the winner to shock the Under-23s 1-0. Jamaica’s other two preparation games ended in 1-1 and 2-0 results against respective teams from Manchester High and Premier League team Seba United.
Montesso believes the players enjoyed better possession today and were more threatening in attack, but added that the strikers lacked incisive runs against the St Mary-based Highgate.
“Today we were much better with how we kept the ball. I think the midfielders shared in the creation and played close to the ball. Once the ball gets on the flank our forwards need to adjust better in the 18-yard box,” he said.
For the CFU qualifiers, the Jamaicans are scheduled to face St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Cayman Islands and Suriname in the four-team group between August 3 and 7.
Squad: Gariece McPherson, Andre Blake, Levaunghn Williams, Theo Brown, Jason Watson, Andrae Campbell, Keithy Simpson, Andrew Vanzie, Neco Brett, Ricardo Morris, Romeo Parkes, Andre Clennon, Jason Johnson, Andrae Bernal, Kemal Malcolm, Alanzo Adlam, Davion Thorpe, Evan Taylor.
Wayne Thompson (Head of Delegation), Alfredo Montesso (Head Coach), Luciano Gama (Assistant Coach/Trainer), Joao Brigatti (Goalkeeper Coach), Howard Bell (Team Manager), Dr Martin Garwood (Team Doctor), Lloyd Holm (Equipment Manager).
