1 year ago
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A DOMESTIC-BASED Reggae Boyz contingent is set to face Trinidad and Tobago in a pair of international friendlies for the third year in a row as the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) ramps up its preparations for the Concacaf Gold Cup Preliminaries and the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
The JFF revealed the fixtures on Monday in a press release where they announced the Boyz will take on the twin-island republic in a pair of friendlies on February 6 and February 9.
The first game will be played in Montego Bay at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex with the second match set to kick off in Kingston at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
As the fixtures will fall outside of the FIFA international windows, both squads are expected to field largely local-based players.
JFF president Michael Ricketts said the fixtures were set as Reggae Boyz head coach Stephen McClaren hopes to have a look at the local-based players.
“Our head coach Mr McClaren expressed from last year a desire for an opportunity to analyse the domestic-based players on the island,” Ricketts stated in the press release.
“We have worked assiduously to arrange these fixtures and camps which will take place leading into these games.”
Ricketts explained the friendlies against Trinidad have played a crucial role in Jamaica’s preparations for matches over the past few years.
In 2023, both countries had played each other twice as preparation for the Gold Cup and Concacaf Nations League campaign.
Trinidad had won the first meeting 1-0 before playing out a nil-all draw in the second game.
Last year, the countries had contested another pair of international friendlies in preparation for the Nations League and the World Cup Qualifiers.
That time around, it was Jamaica who had won the first match 1-0, courtesy of a Kaheim Dixon goal, before playing out a scoreless draw in the second game.
Both federations benefit
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards expressed his gratitude towards the growing relationship between both nations.
Edwards expects both federations to benefit from the games due to the rivalry between the Reggae Boyz and the Soca Warriors.
“We extend our gratitude to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for hosting us and providing this opportunity for both nations to compete, prepare, and grow together,” Edwards stated.
“We know how popular the Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica rivalry is at all levels and we expect these two matches to serve its purpose as it relates to overall preparations. At the TTFA, we remain committed to creating opportunities for our teams to be well prepared for international competitions.”
The match will also be the first time Dwight Yorke, current head coach of the Soca Warriors, will take on Jamaica in his new role.
Yorke, a Trinidadian football icon, was appointed to the role in November last year, succeeding Angus Eve.
Following the friendlies, Jamaica will face the St Vincent and the Grenadines in the Gold Cup Preliminaries while Trinidad are set to take on Cuba.
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