The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Jamaican Reggae Boyz men’s national soccer team is in town.

The team, preparing for their three World Cup qualifying matches next month, arrived at the Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday ahead of their big exhibition match 8pm Thursday at the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium against Tottenham Hotspur from England.

The squad includes: Alvas Powell, Xavian Virgo, Jermaine Hue, Richard McCallum, O’Brian Woodbine, Damian Williams, Montrose Phinn, Jermie Lynch, Evan Taylor, Jermaine Johnson, Keammar Daley, Andre Blake, Daniel Gordon, Darren Mattocks, Rodolph Austin, Jobi McAnuff, Adrian Mariappa, Garath McLeary, Donovan Ricketts, Dwayne Miller, Theo Robinson, Marvin Elliott, Dane Richards, Demar Phillips, Ryan Johnson and Jermaine Beckford.

Some players of note on the team are Rodolph Austin, a midfielder with Leeds United; Jermaine Johnson of Sheffield Wednesday; Darren Mattocks of the Vancouver Whitecaps; Andre Blake, former national youth goalkeeper and University of Connecticut glove man and Daniel Gordon, who plays for Karlsrusher SC in Germany.

“This is a preparation for the World Cup qualifier, so we are coming here to put on a good performance and see where the players are right now,” said head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore. “Tottenham is a big team. They just finished playing in the Premier League, so we know we have to play very well to beat them.”

Other members of the management team are Raymond Grant, the general secretary of the Jamaican Football Association; Dalton Wint, head of delegation; Alfredo Montesso, the assistant coach; Warren Barrett, the goalkeeper coach; Andre Waugh, the physical trainer; Michelle De Pass, the physiotherapist; Dr Carlton Fraser, the team doctor; Roy Simpson, the team manager and Norman Stone, the equipment manager.

“Everybody is excited,” said Wint, noting that they are excited to be kicking off their preparation for the World Cup qualifier in the Bahamas. “We watched the Tottenham match with interest, so we’re hoping that we can pull it off.”

Wint was referring to Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland in their final game of the Premier League on Sunday.

However, Tottenham was denied the opportunity to advance to the Champions League after Arsenal clinched the fourth and final berth with their identical victory over Newscastle United.

The Reggae Boyz will be joined in the Bahamas by European and American-based players Jobi McAnuff, Adrian Mariappa, Garath McLeary, Donovan Ricketts, Ryan Johnson, Dwayne Miller, Theo Robinson, Marvin Elliott, Dane Richards, Demar Phillips and Jermaine Beckford. All members of the group will be in camp by May 30 where they will remain until June 2 when the entire group travels to Jamaica for the home-based qualifiers.

Although all of the players didn’t arrive at the same time, the majority of the squad came from Jamaica on a Caribbean Air flight. They were greeted by some officials from the Bahamas Football Association and Patrick Hanlan, the honourary council general of Jamaica to the Bahamas.?

“It’s promoting both countries and I think because the Reggae Boyz have been to the World Cup before, it’s a good thing for them to come here in the Bahamas to show off their skills,” Hanlan said. “It will be good for soccer fans in the Bahamas will get a chance to see some top notch soccer competition.”?

Hanley thanked the BFA for spearheading the organisation of the match, which is being held as a part of the celebrations of the Bahamas’ 40th anniversary and the promotion of the new stadium that was built for the Bahamas by the People’s Republic of China.?

“What I would like to see is the stadium full in appreciation for what the organisers are trying to achieve,” Hanlan said. “Whether the Reggae Boyz win or Tottenham, we just want to see a good game. Of course, we are pulling for the region because if Jamaica win, the Bahamas win. So I would expect that the outcome will be in favour of Jamaica, the Reggae Boyz.”?

Once they wrap up their training here, host Mexico on June 4, the United States on June 7 and play away to Honduras on June 11 in a crucial eight days which could go a long way in determining their World Cup qualifying fate.