Schäfer sets last eight as target at Copa America
Reggae Boyz coach focused on progress
Jamaica are one of two teams – along with Mexico – to receive an invitation to the 2015 Copa America and head coach Winfried Schäfer is aiming for his Reggae Boyz to be the surprise package in Chile.
Schäfer, whose job was on the line until November’s shock Caribbean Cup success on home turf in Montego Bay, believes his side have a shot at reaching the quarter-finals. The Reggae Boyz have been thrown in at the deep end in Group B to tackle favourites Argentina, Paraguay and defending champions Uruguay.
Jamaica, who took the last invitation available after Japan turned down the final place, have hit a rich vein as they make their debut in the competition.
With the two highest third-placed teams from the three groups (Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Mexico compete in Group A with Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela in Group C) progressing to the quarter-finals, German Schäfer is brimming with confidence.
He explained: “I want to win matches. I want to see everybody fight for our team, and everybody eat from the success of our team.
“We can’t play like Venezuela or Argentina because our football is fighting, passing, counter-attack and teamwork.”
“And football’s open, look at Brazil beaten 7-1 in the World Cup semi-final.
“This tournament is good for Jamaica – it’s good for the players and good for me – I hope at the end our whole island is happy about the Reggae Boyz.”
Jamaica, who kick-off their Copa America campaign against Uruguay in Antofagasta in Chile on Saturday, already experienced some laughable publicity when Uruguay’s hot-shot forward Edinson Cavani erroneously called the Boyz an African team.
The PSG striker said in a press conference prior to the tie against the Boyz said: “As any other African team, Jamaica are going to be strong.”
But once alerted to his error he swiftly apologised via his Twitter account for his gaffe.
Although there was no official explanation as to why Jamaica was invited by CONMEBOL (the South American Football Federation), next year’s Copa America in the USA will increase to 16 teams, including six sides from CONCACAF.
Schafer’s recent successes have resulted in tight defending, counter-attacks from a creative midfield and a lively forward line. Following on from the Caribbean Cup triumph, the Boyz pulled off back-to-back victories in Montego Bay to see off Venezuela and then Cuba.
Four clean sheets from their past five matches makes incredible reading for any national side, but especially for Jamaican fans who were calling for Schafer to go until the Boyz grabbed long overdue silverware in November.
But the likes of Uruguay’s Cavani as well as Barcelona and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are likely to produce a stern test. And Paraguay striker Lucas Barrios, who hasn’t scored for the national team for four years, will be keen to find his scoring boots against Jamaica having scored nine in his past 10 games for club side Montpellier in France.
At the other end of the pitch, Schafer’s counter-attacking should be orchestrated by Jobi McAnuff, Garath McCleary, Simon Dawkins, Joel Grant and Giles Barnes – who are all capable of scoring too.
KEY ROLES
Defence – Kemar Lawrence
The New York Red Bulls’ full-back, nicknamed ‘Taxi’ because of his incessant racing up and down the pitch, has already bagged two goals for the Boyz and follows his father’s footsteps who was Jamaica’s shotstopper during the 1970s.
Midfield – Rodolph Austin
The experienced skipper, released by English Championship side Leeds United at the end of the season, is tactically aware of what is going on around him and capable of effectively releasing the ball to pacy forwards.
Forward – Darren Mattocks
The speedy Vancouver Whitecaps striker will be aiming to continue his recent success in front of goal, with five strikes from his last six matches for the Boyz.
JAMAICA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Duwayne Kerr (Sarpsborg 08), Dwayne Miller (Syrianska) and Ryan Thompson (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Defenders: Daniel Gordon (Karlsruher), Michael Hector (Reading), Hughan Gray (Waterhouse FC), Kemar Lawrence (NY Red Bulls) Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace), Jermaine Taylor (Houston Dynamo) and Wes Morgan (Leicester City)
Midfielders: Rodolph Austin (Unattached), Joel Grant (Yeovil), Lance Laing (FC Edmonton), Joel McAnuff (Leyton Orient), Garath McCleary (Reading) and Je-Vaughn Watson (FC Dallas)
Forwards: Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo), Deshorn Brown (Valerenga), Simon Dawkins (Derby County), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps), Allan Ottey (Montego Bay United), Romeo Parkes (Isidro Metapan) and Dino Williams (Montego Bay United)
GROUP B FIXTURES
June 13: Uruguay v Jamaica (Antofagasta)
June 16: Paraguay v Jamaica (Antofagasta)
June 20: Argentina v Jamaica (Vina del Mar)
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