FOLLOWING a tough match on Sunday against champions Tivoli Gardens, Waterhouse striker Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson emerged from his slumber yesterday a peeved man for more reasons than one.

A grumpy Anderson told the Observer he is unhappy with the continued scorn by national coaches over the years and only wants to be given a fair chance to prove he can contribute to Jamaica’s World Cup qualification bid.

His second bone of contention was the awarding of a late penalty to Tivoli Gardens in the Sunday fixture in which he was adjudged to have handled the ball. But he claimed: “It wasn’t me.”

On the brighter side, Anderson created his team’s goal, turning his marker inside out before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Gary McIntosh to tap home from close range in the 83rd minute.

But six minutes later he was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, allowing Tivoli Gardens to draw level from the penalty spot in the 89th.

But moments before Tivoli Gardens were awarded a penalty by referee Raymond Bogle, Anderson said he was “thumped” in the back by an opposing player whom he thought should have been red-carded.

Then, while playing peacemaker between two of his teammates, he looked around and saw the ball coming from a corner kick which glanced off his head and struck one of his teammates.

“It wasn’t me. I wonder if him (referee) saw anything or just made a call. All me know is that my hand wasn’t anywhere near the ball,” Anderson reiterated.

The prolific Anderson, 32, said he is also unhappy after being overlooked by national team selectors over the years despite constantly performing at a high standard.

“The Brazilians them like me and me nah tell you no lie, me really don’t like how the national (programme) treat me. They don’t have a youth rough like me and me is a youth who score goals,” noted Anderson, better known as ‘Tuffy’ because of his muscular physique.

But at his age, Anderson knows his chances of playing in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil are slim, but insists he is willing to assist in the qualification bid.

“I don’t have to play World Cup, I just want to assist in the qualifying because I have something in me which I can take it to the team,” he pointed out.

“I don’t see any forward a run harder than me right now. I am so sharp. The Brazilian coaches really wonder if I am 32,” he added.

Anderson, who last earned a call up by John Barnes in 2007 and played practise matches against the Cayman Islands and Barbados, said he is working hard for a recall.

He made his debut for Jamaica back in 2002 in a two-match friendly series against India in England.

The bustling striker has netted twice already from four games this season and was the top scorer in the pre-season Claro Champions Cup with seven goals.

Last season, Anderson finished with 10 goals and said he just wants a chance to show that he has got many left in him.

“Just give me a touch and they won’t regret it. It’s not all about age, it’s about performance,” said the irrepressible striker.