Reggae Boyz Tackle New Territory in the Land of the Morning Calm
South Korea will be testing time for Jamaica’s friendly
Winfried Schäfer, the Jamaica head coach, faces confident hosts South Korea in tomorrow’s friendly at the Seoul World Cup Stadium (6am Jamaican time).
The Reggae Boyz, who sneaked into the next stage of the World Cup Qualifiers with an unconvincing two-leg success over minnows Nicaragua, need to be at their best in the Korean capital if they are to carve out a positive result.
South Korea are upbeat with a 10-match unbeaten run that stretches back to an extra-time goal at the hands of Australia in January’s 2015 Asian Cup final.
Overall this year South Korea has been the undisputed top team in Asia, the Taeguk Warriors going from strength to strength.
Coach Uli Stielike has yet to see his Warriors concede a goal in their World Cup Qualifiers, bagging 14 goals in their four victories to maintain a 100% record.
Schäfer said: “We’ll see an interesting game and an excited crowd because we’re playing against one of the best teams of the whole of Asia.
“This game is a great opportunity. Many of our veteran players need a rest, so we now build up a team of around five ambitious local players – Edwards, Harriott, Morris, Ottey and Woozencroft – to gain a lot of experience in a team that wants to qualify for the World Cup.
“These new guys can build up some pressure on the established players with a brave performance.”
But ever optimistic Schäfer was dealt a blow with veteran midfielder Lee Williamson forced to withdraw from the squad following an injury to his right knee injury colliding with a team-mate during practice on Sunday.
The 33-year-old Blackburn Rovers star, who played a critical role in helping the Boyz stutter past Nicaragua 2-0 in Managua last month, was the only recognised central defensive midfielder named in the 20-man squad. So Houston Dynamo’s Giles Barnes is expected to fill that shielding role in an untried 3-5-2 formation.
And the wily head coach has taken a gamble by recalling 29-year-old Vietnamese-based striker Errol Stevens to instil much-needed firepower.
The former Arnett Gardens and Harbour View forward, who has hit 13 goals in 26 matches for Hai Phong in the Vietnam League One this term, last played for the Boyz against Colombia under coach Theodore Whitmore. But a string of injuries have since left him out of contention for international duty until his shock call up.
Schäfer will be geared up to stun South Korea, especially as he is banned from the bench and dressing room for the next two games.
He has been banned for the crucial World Cup Qualifiers against Panama in Kingston (November 13) and away to Haiti (November 17) in the group games, after he was found guilty of unsporting behaviour against a match official in last month’s tie in Nicaragua.
Schäfer will need to keep his cool in the Land of the Morning Calm and find a way to make a mockery of the Warriors who have conceded just three goals in 17 games this year.
Jamaica squad: Giles Barnes, Andre Blake, Deshorn Brown, Andre Clennon, Shaun Cummings, Simon Dawkins, Upston Edwards, Joel Grant, Hughan Gray, Rosario Harriott, Lance Laing, Adrian Mariappa, Darren Mattocks, Ricardo Morris, Allan Ottey, Michael Seaton, Errol Stevens, Ryan Thompson, Lee Williamson (out, knee injury), Jermaine Woozencroft.
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