3 months ago
11
WITH 10 PLAYERS from his 23-man squad for the Unity Cup hailing from the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren said he is looking to see how well the local-based players will progress in international play.
Jamaica are set to compete in the four-team tournament alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, and Nigeria set to begin on Tuesday in London, England.
When he announced his squad for the tournament at a Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) press conference last week, McClaren explained with the unavailability of several key players, he has given the nod to the JPL players.
“Because of the limitations, because of who we can pick, it gives us the opportunity to have JPL players in this squad,” he said.
“Because of the local camps that we had in January and February and because of the inclusion of 10 JPL players in the last squad against St Vincent, we look to give them experience by coming to the UK.”
Jamaica will open the tournament against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday with the winner from that match advancing to the final and the loser contesting the third-place play-off.
The final and third-place playoff will both be played on May 31, with Jamaica set to face either Nigeria or Ghana based on the results of their meeting.
McClaren said one of his priorities will be to assess the development of the local players following their showing during the games against St Vincent and Grenadines and the local camp against Trinidad earlier this year.
“I am looking for progress from the JPL players that we’re picking so I’m looking for progress from them. I’ve seen them play on the island and I’ve seen them play in the local camp against Trinidad.”
He said the experience at the Unity Cup will be special for the local-based players as they will be competing against top opposition under difficult circumstances.
He explained with the JPL playoffs set for Friday, the players will only have a few days to travel and prepare for the opening match.
“I want to see them how they cope with the travel, the jet-lag and the long distances they will have to endure if they want to be international players,” McClaren said.
“It’s a progression on the work. Are they building and are they getting better when we’re putting them up against tougher oppositions?”
English (US) ·