Name: Adrian Joseph Mariappa

Date of Birth: October 3, 1986

Age: 29

Height: 5’11

Position: Defender (centreback, rightback)

Club: Crystal Palace FC ( English Premier League)

International Appearances: 33

Goals: 1

Since making his debut for Jamaica in May 2012 in a 1-0 win over Guyana at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, Adrian Mariappa has established himself as an asset for the Reggae Boyz. Mariappa was born in England, but qualifies to play for Jamaica through his mother’s side of the family as both of Mariappa’s mother’s parents are from Jamaica. Mariappa’s father’s side of the family is from Fiji and he even got called up to the Fijan team in 2010 to prepare for the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia. However, he did not take up this offer. Upon arrival in Jamaica in May 2012, he told the local Jamaican media that Jamaica gives him the best chance of playing at a World Cup, which is why he chose to play for Jamaica. He also spoke about the passion he had for Jamaica when he was a youth.

Mariappa is known for his quick feet, solid defending and commanding presence at the back through his encouragement to his teammates in defence. These qualities were demonstrated first during the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers where he helped Jamaica beat the United States for the first time at the senior level in September 2012. In 2013, he helped Jamaica avoid defeat for the first time at the Estadio Azteca Stadium alongside former club teammate Nyron Nosworthy. Both kept former Manchester United FC striker Javier Hernandez quiet in a 0-0 draw. Jamaica now, along with United States, Honduras and Costa Rica, are the only teams from the CONCACAF region to draw against Mexico in the Estadio Azteca in a World Cup qualifying match.

Mariappa, who wears the number 19 jersey for Jamaica, represented the country at the 2015 editions of the Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments. Mariappa provided the key assist to Giles Barnes to help Jamaica reach the semi-finals of the Gold Cup for the third time in Jamaica’s history. The Reggae Boyz eventually finished second.

Clubwise, Mariappa has been a standout. He started his career at Watford FC and broke into their first team in 2005 at 18 years old in the Championship. In 2009, at 22 years old he got the captain’s arm band and helped Watford to the fifth round of the FA Cup and League Cup. His performances began to catch the eyes of Premier League squads as Newcastle United FC and Wigan Athletic both put in offers for him. However, he joined Reading FC in the Premier League. He scored one goal for Reading in the 2012-13 season in the Premier League against Stoke City showing his agility from set pieces. Despite being relegated, clubs in the Premier Legaue still saw his quality and he signed with Crystal Palace in the 2013-14 season with a three-year deal. Last season he played 16 games for the club helping them to 10th place finish in the League. It was also the first time Crystal Palace played in the Premier League two seasons in a row.