Reggae Boyz Handed Dilemma After Blake Blow
Andre Blake, the Jamaican first choice shotstopper and current captain, looks highly likely to miss out on the playing in either of the friendlies against Saudi Arabia following a fracture in his right hand last month.
The Philadelphia Union keeper got injured after he got his hand tangled in the net during the second half of their MLS 2-1 success over Chicago Fire FC on 29 October, and was substituted in the 90th-minute. He missed last weekend’s contest against Columbus Crew SC and was already ruled out of his team’s 8 November encounter because of international duty.
Blake, who scooped the MLS is Back Tournament Golden Glove award when the North American league resumed following a break because of the coronavirus, played 10 matches for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz last year to take his total to 45 caps and has played a significant role by bossing games from his box.
He has at least swerved a season-ending injury after undergoing a surgical procedure this week to insert a pin in his hand, which is likely keep him out of action for between two to three weeks as opposed to six weeks for the fracture to heal on its own.
However, it seems most improbable that the 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year will be involved on the pitch when the Boyz tackle hosts Saudi Arabia at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium in Riyadh on 14 and 17 November respectively.
Regardless, the injury will be a bitter blow as May Pen-born Blake is a frontrunner for this year’s prestigious Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year with eight clean sheets from 21 games.
Blake’s injury means that Humble Lions FC keeper Dennis Taylor is likely to be given some playing time, with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) yet to announce whether influential skipper Blake will travel to Saudi Arabia. The 29-year-old was one of four shotstoppers selected in the 24-strong squad alongside Amal Knight (San Diego Loyal, USA) and Dwayne Miller (Syrianska, Sweden).
Taylor, 30, is one of only five island-based players to get the nod to play some part in these intriguing back-to-back matches with the quintet scheduled to be tested for COVID-19 tomorrow (4 November). They will be isolating following their test alongside JFF some staff members at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence in Kingston, and if their tests return negative are set to depart Jamaica on 6 November.
The Boyz have only met Saudi Arabia four times, and in their last meeting three years ago Jamaica suffered a hefty 5-2 defeat to the hosts.
Head coach Theodore Whitmore has long championed Blake as his stalwart between the sticks, but at least this freak injury offers a chance for him to rule his eye over others in preparation for next year’s FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Jamaica squad:
Jahshaun Anglin (Harbour View FC), Leon Bailey (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany), Norman Campbell (RFK Grafičar Beograd, Serbia), Bobby Decordova-Reid (Fulham, England), Javon East (Santos, Costa Rica), Oniel Fisher (DC United, USA), Junior Flemmings (Phoenix Rising FC, USA), Michael Hector (Fulham, England), Daniel Johnson (Preston North End, England), Amal Knight (San Diego Loyal, USA), Kevon Lambert (Phoenix Rising FC, USA), Kemar Lawrence (Anderlecht, Belgium), Gregory Leigh (Aberdeen, Scotland), Damion Lowe (Phoenix Rising FC, USA), Kemal Malcolm (Arnett Gardens FC), Adrian Mariappa (unattached), Dwayne Miller (Syrianska, Sweden), Ricardo Morris (Vaasan Palloseura, Finland), Ravel Morrison (ADO Den Haag, Holland), Shamar Nicholson (R. Charleroi SC, Belgium), Kaheem Parris (NK Krka, Slovenia), Alvas Powell (Inter Miami FC, USA), Dennis Taylor (Humble Lions FC), Lamar Walker (Portmore United).
Download The Jamaican Blogs™ App for your Android device: HERE
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]