Buoyant Boyz Ready to Tackle Copa America
Jamaica kick-off against Venezuela
Winfried Schäfer takes his Jamaican squad to the Copa America full of promise, with his Reggae Boyz facing Venezuela at Soldier Field in Chicago tomorrow. The Boyz arrive on the crest of a wave following their sensational 2-1 success in Chile against the world ranked no.3 outfit.
With tougher matches than Venezuela expected in Group D this is a must-win game. Mexico, a de facto home team, and Uruguay – arguably one of the best sides in the world over the past decade – make up the group with only the top two progressing to the knockout stages. Jamaica made their Copa America debut in Chile last term, failing to score a goal but with resolute defending suffered a trio of 1-0 reversals – including against the mighty Argentina and preventing Lionel Messi from striking.
Striker Deshorn Brown, who infamously took a selfie on the pitch with Messi following the narow defeat, has been omitted from Schäfer’s squad that is also missing 72-game international Demarr Philips. Head coach Schäfer introduced his tactics of solid defending and rapid counterattacking with a physical presence at last year’s competition, and is bringing in new blood for games to prepare for the nation’s future.
Miguel Coley, assistant to Schäfer, said: “Last year we gained experience, and this year it’s about going to the next round.
“So we back our chances of going well in the competition.”
Jamaica did exceptionally well in their next competition after last year’s Copa America learning experience.
Schäfer’s new tactics worked a treat with their incredible and historic run to the final of the 2015 Gold Cup.
The Boyz topped their group in CONCACAF’s biennial tournament and stunned the USA in the semi-final showdown before running out of steam with a dismal display to lose the final to Mexico.
Yet Jamaica only hit eight goals in their six matches at the Gold Cup, and their inability to score remains their weakness. So Venezuela should be easy fodder for Jamaica’s strikers.
Venezuela are seen as the side that are merely making up the group despite having stunned Colombia at last year’s event in their opening game.
And they reached the 2011 Copa America semi-final against all the odds.
Jamaica saw off visiting Venezuela 2-1 in a friendly in March 2015, Giles Barnes and Darren Mattocks scoring.
The South American side have three key players to watch out for, West Bromwich Albion solid forward Jose Salomon Rondon, Genoa midfielder Tomas Rincon and Malaga midfielder Juanmi.
Coley added: “Venezuela play good, attacking football and they believe that Jamaica would be the best opportunity to get three points – so for us it will be psychologically very tough.”
Schäfer’s side has only notched four goals in their past six games with a stuttering start to their World Cup qualifying group games.
Houston Dynamo hot-shot Barnes will be one of Jamaica’s strikers to keep the Boyz buoyant, yet there is plenty of attacking talent to trouble opponents.
But forward Simon Dawkins is absent, suffering a right groin injury. His replacement is Joel Grant, an attacking midfielder who plies his trade for Exeter City in England.
At the other end Jamaica seem solid. And with Wes Morgan, the burly veteran defender, rested by Schäfer after superbly marshalling the Leicester City defence to the club’s maiden – and shock – Premier League title, then opponents won’t be given an easy ride against a side that constantly entered tournaments as the underdogs.
Copa America group matches for Jamaica
5 June – Venezuela (Soldier Field, Chicago)
9 June – Mexico (Rose Bowl, Pasadena)
13 June – Paraguay (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara)
Jamaica squad
Goalkeepers: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Duwayne Kerr (Stjarnan), Ryan Thompson (Saint Louis FC)
Defenders: Rosario Harriott (Harbour View FC), Michael Hector (Reading), Kemar Lawrence (New York RB), Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace), Wes Morgan (Leicester City), Damano Solomon (Portmore United), Jermaine Taylor (Portland Timbers)
Midfielders: Rodolph Austin (Brondby IF), Michael Binns (Portmore United), Joel Grant (Exeter City), Chevone Marsh (Cavaler Sports Club), Joel McAnuff (Leyton Orient), Garath McCleary (Reading), Andrew Vanzie (Humble Lion FC), Je-Vaughn Watson (New England Revolution), Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards: Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo), Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City), Allan Ottey (Montego Bay United), Dever Orgill (IFK Marieham)
Boyz train ahead of their encounter with Venezuela – Via JFF:
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