Desperate Boyz in must-win against Centro Caribe Sports
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Having been thrashed 6-0 by Costa Rica on Friday, a battered Jamaican Under-22 football team will be hoping to keep their slim chances of advancing to the semi-final of the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games when they take on Centro Caribe Sports (CCS) in a must-win game here today.
Match time is 5:00 pm (6:00 pm Ja time).
The young Reggae Boyz, who were outclassed by the Costa Ricans in all departments, have recorded just one point from two matches and, therefore, must win today’s encounter in order to keep hopes alive of advancing into the competition.
Marcel “Fuzzy” Gayle, coach of the Jamaican team, said they have put Friday’s defeat behind them and are now confident of securing all three points against the CCS team.
“We just have to get back our act together because we made some schoolboy mistakes against Costa Rica, and it cost us,” said Gayle.
“I think we have learned our lesson and that is behind us and we just have to stay positive because we still have an opportunity of going through to the next round, and so we are going to go out there and fight for everything that we can get out of this game,” he said.
However, the young Jamaicans will be without the services of key players Jahshaun Anglin, who picked up two yellow cards in Friday’s match. Goalkeeper Asher Hutchinson will also miss today’s must-win encounter after he received back-to-back yellow cards in both matches.
Despite the absence of both players, Gayle pointed out that he is confident that their replacements can step in and produce some good performances for the team.
“It would be history for us if we move onto the second round of this competition and even to win a medal because we would be the first Jamaican team to do so and that is our dream and aspirations, and so will be going all out for all three points on Sunday,” he said.
“Based on cards, we will have to make a few changes to the team, and so we definitely are going to approach the game with a different tactic seeing that it is a must-win situation that we are in now,” Gayle added.
The junior Reggae Boyz will be led by Ronaldo Webster, who has scored the only goal for the Jamaicans in their 1-1 draw against hosts El Salvador in their opening game. He is expected to receive support from Brandon Cover, Marlon Allen, Cristojaye Daley and Philando Wing.