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Simoes to return in January
Dec 04, 2007
Jamaica’s former technical director, Brazilian RENÉ SIMOES, is reported to be returning in about a month's time to begin his second tenure in that position. SIMOES previously served as technical director of Jamaica's football when the Reggae Boyz qualified for its FIFA World Cup Finals in France, 1998. The official announcement is expected at a press conference this afternoon to be hosted by the JFF.

President Captain Horace Burrell told The Gleaner yesterday that the details concerning the technical director will be outlined to the executive committee, the private sector, sponsors and government within the next 48 hours.

Simoes took charge of Jamaica in October 1994 and was also instrumental in Jamaica qualifying for two more FIFA World Cup Finals - at youth level Under-17 and Under-20. He left the job in early 2000, after some poor results in the last two years in charge of the seniors, including embarrassing 0-9, 0-6 and 0-4 drubbings away to Costa Rica, Norway and Saudi Arabia. More in the Forum

Reggae Boyz Score Win Over Guatemala
November 22, 2007
Two first half goals by Ricardo Fuller and Omar Daley in the 10th and 22nd minutes gave Jamaica a convincing 2-0 win over Guatemala in soggy conditions in their international friendly at the national stadium in Jamaica. This was the second win inside "The Office" in four days for The Reggae Boyz under the new Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration led by Captain Horace Burrell.

The Reggae Boyz took early control of the game and was clearly the dominant team for most of the encounter. After coming close to scoring early when Luton Sheton’s effort went over the bar, Ricardo Fuller made it 1-0 after outpacing a defender and then chipping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

The Jamaican fans were again rewarded in the 22nd minute as Rudolph Austin found Daley down the right flank.  Daley, who plays for Bradford City in England, cut inside his defender before calmly firing home to put Jamaica two goals up. Jamaica should have had a third goal late in the second half when the speedy Dane Richards, broke free down the right flank and perfectly played the ball into the path of Phillips, who missed the sitter by kicking high from close range.

Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts, Oneil Thompson, Rudolph Austin, Christopher Jackson (Wolry Wolfe 60th), Ian Goodison (Sean Fraser 63rd), Tyrone Marshall, Shavar Thomas (Demar Stewart 45th), Omar Daley (Ricardo Geddes 60th), Demar Phillips, Luton Shelton (Dane Richards 20th), Ricardo Fuller. Subs not used: Richard McCullum, Rafei Wolfe, Khari Stephenson, Damion Williams, Fabian Taylor. More in the forum

Reggae Boyz Whip El Salvador 3-0
November 19, 2007
Jamaica’s captain, Ricardo Gardner, scored 2 goals to lead a confident and lively Reggae Boyz outfit to a 3-0 win over El Salvador in an international friendly at the National Stadium, Jamaica, on Sunday. The Reggae Boyz made their highly anticipated return to the National Stadium under interim coach and former national player Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore and rewarded at least 20,000 spectators with a dominant and winning performance.

With the Boyz battling to take control of the early play, a spectacular shot by Portmore’s Rudolf Austin, put the Jamaicans in the lead at the 24th minute. Austin hit a blistering shot to goal from at least 35 yards, which curled over the outstretched body of a well-beaten El Salvador custodian, Miguel Moreno, and into the roof of the net. This was followed in the 37th minute as Luton Shelton dribbled between the El Salvador defenders and slipped the ball to Gardner who snuck in to beat Moreno from eight yards away to put the team two goals ahead.

El Salvador were reduced to 10 early in the second half making it easier for The Reggae Boyz to maintain possession, Gardner struck again 10 minutes from time after finding himself free at the top of the 18-yard b, looked up and calmly placed his shot wide of keeper Moreno, hitting off the far post and into the back of the net to make it 3-0. The Reggae Boyz will next play Guatemala on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.

Team Jamaica - Richard McCullum (Dwayne Kerr 74th), Damion Stewart (Demar Stewart 66th), Rudolph Austin, Ricardo Gardner, Jamal Campbell-Rice (Jermaine Johnson 66th), Demar Phillips, Oneil Thompson (Khari Stephenson 79th), Shavar Thomas, Tyrone Marshall, Luton Shelton, Ricardo Fuller (Dane Richards 74th).Subs not used: Wolry Wolfe, Ricardo Geddes, Damion Williams, Sean Fraser, Rafe Wolfe, Christopher Jackson. Booked: Campbell-Ryce (49th). More in the Forum

Bora Milutinovic Fired
November 8, 2007
Bora Milutinovic, Jamaica’s coach and technical director was fired by the Jamaica Football Federation. The Serbian-born Milutinovic was informed on Wednesday by the new administration of the JFF that it was firing him for breach of contract. A statement from the office of the JFF did not elaborate on the exact nature of the breach, and calls to their offices were not returned.

Milutinovic took over as coach and technical director of Jamaica's soccer program last November, and led the team to the Lunar Cup title earlier this year. But Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz senior team has been inactive since July and has slipped in the FIFA world rankings to 103.

Milutinovic’s four-year contract was partially funded by the government and it was reported that the JFF has arranged to pay the amount due to the technical director in accordance with the nature of his termination within a reasonable period of time from the date of the notice. More in the Forum

JFF $77.5 million in Debt
November 7, 2007
At yesterday's much anticipated press conference at the JFF headquarters in New Kingston, the president of the newly-installed Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) board, Captain Horace Burrell, revealed that preliminary estimates calculate the debts of the JFF at a staggering $77.5 million. He expressed that this was frightening as the nation was led to believe that the Federation was making a profit.

On the future of current Technical director Velibor "Bora" Mulutinovic, Burrell refused to confirm or deny that that 'Bora' will be sacked. He stated that a unanimous decision had been reached after a review of Milutinovic contract. Unconfirmed reports are that the Technical Director will be replaced by Jamaica's former TD, Brazilian Rene Simoes, who is expected to take charge in the Reggae Boyz's International Friendly on November 21 against Guatemala. Burrell is expected to have dialogue with the technical director today.

Due to the financial position, a decision was made to suspend the women's national training programs which included training camps and two important international engagements for the female national teams. The JFF will be meeting with the government to assist with the $4 million needed for the female program.

Other revelations at the meeting was the lifting of a two-year ban on English-based Reggae Boy Marlon King with immediate effect and  the resumption of the Premier League on Sunday. More in the forum

The Return of the Captain
November 3, 2007
The much-anticipated changing of the guards within the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), is set to take place today at a Special Voting Congress at Beaches Negril, and will see the unopposed return of Captain Horace Burrell to the federation's presidency. Outgoing president Crenston Boxhill, has cited divisiveness among the football fraternity as one of the major failures of his administration's four-year tenure.

In recent weeks, Captain Burrell has used various opportunities and forums to speak about his vision for the new administration. Now, with him back at the helm, he will be expected to detail his plans in a comprehensive way especially in the areas of contract assessment, or the possible replacement of national technical director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, and a quick solution to the suspension of the Premier League club games.

Approximately 110 delegates and a number of observers are expected to be in attendance with the only votes expected to be cast are for the position of first vice-president, between the current second vice president, Linnel McLean, president of the Trelawny Football Association, and Dale Spencer, president of the Manchester Football Association.

TheReggaeBoyz.com Forum member LINCOLN made a very interesting post in regard to the return of the Captain. Lincoln said “Well Captains are supposed to go down with their ships but this one left this ship in choppy waters 4 years ago. Now, He is about to board the SS Reggaeboyz which has already hit the iceberg.

With that said, Burrell had 4 years to come up with a "Marshall Plan" for Jamaica's football. He has had time to analyze his own mistakes during his previous run. He has had time to identify all the wrong moves that Boxhill made during his tenure. He has had 4 long years to put a well thought out plan in place to improve Jamaica's football on a whole and not just to get us qualified for another World Cup.” Read more in the Forum

2005 CFU Caribbean Club Champions, Harbour View Football Club, seeking second Caribbean title.
Nov. 1, 2007
Harbour View Football Club, Jamaica's 2006-07 Premier League Champions and the The 2005 CFU Caribbean Club Champions, depart for the CFU Caribbean Club Championship in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, November 2, 2007. The tournament runs from Sunday, November 4-16, 2007 with five zones comprising of nineteen clubs.

Harbour View FC plays in Zone C at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on Sun. Nov.4th versus Puerto Rico Islanders of Puerto Rico at 5pm. On Tues. Nov. 6th, HVFC takes on Inter Moengotapoe of Suriname at 5pm, a team they previously defeated twice in Suriname in November 2005 by 6-4, 4-2. On Thurs. Nov. 8th, HVFC will play SAP FC of Antigua at 5pm.

Five (5) Zone Winners and the three (3) best second placed teams will advance to the Quarterfinals on Sunday, November 11. The four (4) winners play on Wednesday, November 14th and the two (2) finalists on November 16th. 2007.

Players travelling with the team are Kavin Bryan, Richard Edwards, Christopher Harvey, Jermaine Hue, Keith Kelly, Dwayne Miller, Marvin Mundy, Kamar Petrekin, Robert Scarlett, Oneil Smith, Ricardo Smith, Donald Stewart, Fabian Taylor, Gregg Taylor, Jermaine Taylor, Loxley Thomas, Rafiek Thomas, Clifton Waugh, Kemeel Wolfe, Lennox Wright. OFFICIALS: Clyde Jureidini - Head of Delegation, Annmarie Massey - Manager, Lennie Hyde - Head Coach, Harold Thomas -Assistant Coach , Dwayne Blake - Equipment Manager. Read more in the Forum

Former Under-17 coach dies
October 27, 2007
 
Former National Under-17 and Calabar High School's Manning Cup coach, David “Wagga” Hunt, was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of the West Indies yesterday, after collapsing at his Havendale home in St. Andrew. Preliminary findings indicate that Hunt died from an apparent heart attack.

Hunt, 51,  was discovered unconscious on the bathroom floor of his residence just hours before his Manning Cup team, Calabar High, were scheduled to play a crucial game against Edith Dalton James. That game was postponed until a later date by the Inter Secondary Schools' Sports Association (ISSA). George Forbes, ISSA's competitions officer, said David's death would be a big blow to ISSA and football.

Hunt, a Kingston College old boy was a qualified professional with a masters' degree in business administration, Hunt amassed various coaching qualifications, including the highly regarded English FA International Coaching Preliminary Award course. He was credited for reviving football at Calabar after just two years in charge, capturing their first title in 28 years in 2005 and also winning also the  Olivier Shield title the same year.

Hunt was appointed coach of the national Under-17 team in February 2006, and impacted with a memorable victory over Mexico, the then world champion at that level, in a practice game. The team went on to defeat the USA, before coming within one game of qualifying for the World Cup in South Korea, losing  0-1 to Trinidad and Tobago in the final group match.

He is a founding member, president and technical director of the Meadhaven United Football Club and at the time of death was the general secretary of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA). More in the Forum.    

Reggae Boyz Olympic Dream Dies
October 14, 2007
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz dreams of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics were shattered after  losses to the Bahamas and Haiti  in their CFU Group H encounters at the Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-Au-Prince Haiti.

In their first match of the Caribbean Football Union second-round , the Jamaicans were beaten 1-0 by minnows Bahamas in front of a fair-sized crowd in the 18,000 seat capacity facility.  Lesly St Fleur's 84th-minute goal shocked the Jamaicans, who were expected to roll over the Bahamas and then move on to meet the host in a winner-take-all finale. It was not to be as the frustrated Jamaica team, despite beating the defense on numerous occasions, just could not get the ball into the net.

All chances of qualifying died when they lost to Haiti 2-1 in a must win match. Haiti had earlier defeated the Bahamas by six goals. Jamaica took an early lead with a brilliant 19th-minute free-kick from Captain Rudolph Austin quieting a raucous crowd in the capacity filled stadium. The lead would not hold up as Haiti turned up the heat with goals from Bidrece Azor in the 48th and substitute Fabrice Noel in the 76th killing any hope the Boyz had of advancing. Jamaica's coach Wendell Downswell expressed disappointment at the two losses in the qualifying tournament.

Haiti topped the group with two wins and six points with the Bahamas finishing second with three points, while Jamaica ended without a point. The Jamaican players were Dwayne Miller, Duwayne Kerr, Keneil Moodie, Ajuran Brown, Troy Smith, Rodolph Austin, Obrian Woodbine, Keammar Daley,, Ricardo Cousins, Nicholoy Findlayson, Norman Bailey, Rafe Wolf, Eric Vernon, Luton Shelton, A Reid, X Virgo, D Davis, B Bayliss. More in the Forum

Burrell promising a new dawning in Jamaica's football
October 08, 2007

The incoming president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, is promising a "new dawning" in Jamaica's football when he takes office on Monday, November 5. Burrell was delivering the keynote address at the launch of the Ocean Spray Richie Stevens Pot of Gold football competition at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.

Burrell cautioned that it will not be easy, but that the job can be accomplished if all parties work together and is asking for the support of the public, private sector, government and the football fraternity.

Burrell, who lost to outgoing JFF president Crenston Boxhill back in 2003, will regain the position after the November 4 congress in Negril. Going to the polls unopposed, he said that he was heartened that the vast majority of the parishes nominated him for president, showing their belief and trust in his leadership.

Burrell is promising more games at 'The Office' and is urging fans to go out and purchase their yellow and green jerseys....More in the Forum

Champions Harbour View Starts Newly Sponsored CashPlus Priemier League with Goaless Draw
Oct. 1,2007
At home in front of a bumper crowd and a LIVE Television audience the “Stars of the East” failed to shine as the newly promoted St. George’s SC played a heavily defensive formation.

The CEO of the CASHPLUS Group Mr. Carlos Hill and Captain, Horace Burrell were special guests at the stadium.

Posting no fewer than eight men behind the ball for the ninety minutes to salvage a precious point away from home against the Champions is a great start for the elevated team but not for the title-holders who were slowly into stride.

Captain, Lovel Palmer came closest to scoring mid way the second half, when his scorching shot hit the inside of the upright but came back into play to be scrambled away by the frantic defense.

Before that striker Greg Taylor’s shot and a header were well parried for corners by goalkeeper Ralston Robinson in the first half. Fabian Taylor shot wide twice and Rafiek Thomas should have converted but his miscued chip shot fell safely into the waiting arms of Robinson as the second half started.

Substitute Loxely Thomas shot fiercely from the edge of the area but as Kavin Bryan scooped his pass across the face of the goal from Robinson’s rebound no one was at the far post to tap as the minutes ticked away.

St. George’s never looked threatening in attack but Harbour View’s goal-scoring machine had not clicked into action as yet even with Kemar Pertrekin entered the fray late in the game.

Fabian Taylor would scrambled a tight shot goalwards that the retreating defender booted two metres from the goal-line. Taylor would kick wide again from an acute angle inside the penalty box to the left and when defender Christopher Harvey shot high from 20 yards it signaled the last hope of victory had flown before Referee, Courtney Campbell ended the encounter 0-0.

Next week Harbour View FC travels to Reno at St. Elizabeth Technical High School. CASHPLUS Voted Harbour View FC’s left back Ricardo Smith, the “Most Valuable Player” of the game. His trophy was presented to him by Marketing Officer,Shelly Anne Weeks.

OTHER SCORES TODAY: SEBA UNITED 4 WATERHOUSE 3 AUGUST TOWN 1 BOY’S TOWN 2 PORTMORE UNITED 1 SPORTING CENTRAL ACADEMY 0 VILLAGE UNITED 2 TIVOLI GARDENS 2 ARNETT GARDENS 0 RENO 0....More in the forum

Reggae Boyz Fraser to Train with Swedish Side
Åtvidabergs, Sweden, October 1, 2007

Miami FC midfielder and Jamaican National Team player, Sean Fraser, 24, who spent the last winter period on a four month loan to Boavista Sport Club in Brazil, has traveled to Sweden to train with Åtvidabergs Fotbollförening for a week. Fraser has received permission from Miami to travel and train with the Superettan side which is managed by Peter Swardh, former assistant coach at Helsingborg during Luton Shelton’s tenure at the club.

A powerhouse in Swedish football during the 1970’s, Åtvidabergs was most recently as high as third in the tables and positioned for promotion until the middle of August. The club now sits seven points behind the promotion zone having only picked up a total of six points out of a possible eighteen throughout the last six matches. Three clubs from the Superettan will be promoted at the end of the 2007 season. Most notable, Åtvidabergs recently qualified for UEFA Cup competition in 2006 having lost in the finals of the Swedish Cup in 2005 and thus earning a birth to the European tournament where they played Grasshopper Zurich and dropped both legs on an 8-0 aggregate to the Swiss club.

Fraser spent 2006 and 2007 with Miami FC of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) - Division One, in the United States of America. Fraser played alongside Brazilian World Cup legends, Romário and Zinho, during this time and registered a total of 10 goals and 11 assists during that time in all competitions. He also registered 2 goals and 4 assists in his time with Boavista Sport Club of Brazil in the 2007 Campeonato Carioca while playing against powerful sides such as Flamengo and Vasco da Gama.

He began his career with Portmore United and Harbour View in the National Premier League of Jamaica. He also participated in Jamaica’s U17 and U20 World Youth Championship selections and featured prominently for the side during the U20 tournament in 2001. Fraser received his most recent Jamaican Senior National Team cap in the June 2007 friendly match against Chile. More in the Forum

Burrell will review Bora’s Contract
Captain Horace Burrell, who is set to return as president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), was quoted in a report by the Observer, that one of his first priorities will be to review the contract of the Technical Director, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic in order to decide the coach's future. Milutinovic is being paid US$1 million a year until 2010.

Burrell who first became president of the JFF in 1994, was nominated unopposed by the Voting Congress as the current president, Crenston Boxhill announced that he would not seek re-election to the post. Burrell stated that he was honored and humbled by the confidence shown in him by his colleagues. He went on to state that he is again looking forward to serving Jamaica with pride and enthusiasm and intends to take Jamaica's football where it belongs.

During his first presidency, Burrell helped guide the national football program to some of its greatest successes, including qualification for the finals of the senior, Under-20 and Under-17 World Cups.  Unfortunately, he was often accused of lack of transparency in the affairs of the JFF and of being autocratic in his approach. Burrell said the reality of the loss in November 2003 had made him to review his approach and he would be more inclusive this time around and propose to provide the inspiration to all those members elected.

Boyz Advance with 5-0 win over  Aruba 5-0,
Sept. 14, 2007
ORANJESTAD, Aruba - Jamaica won the final game of their CFU Group B Olympic qualifying tournament with an easy 5-0 win over hosts Aruba at the Complehjo Deportivo Guillermo Trinidad last night.

Two goals each from Eric Vernon and Edward Campbell and one from Donovan Davis helped Jamaica to secure a spot to the next stage of the qualifiers where they will meet Group F winners Bahamas or either Haiti, St Kitts or the Domican Republic from Group D.

Coach Wendell Downswell expressed satisfaction with the team's performance as they played one of the most tactical games and showed a lot of improvement in their decision making. In the opening game of the double-header, Antigua/Barbuda stopped Barbados 2-1 with goals from Jamari Roberts and Tavin Crump to finish on six points behind Jamaica.

U-23s edge Barbados 1-0  
Sept.12, 2007
Jamaica's Under-23 footballers all but secured a spot to the next round of the CFU Olympic Games qualifiers when they held on for a 1-0 win over Barbados at the Complehjo Deportivo Guillermo yesterday.

Ricardo Cousins, scored a superb 25-yard free-kick to the delight of the supporters  in what can be considered a lack luster game for the most part. Jamaica won their opening match on Sunday by defeating Antigua/Barbuda 6-1 and will next face hosts Aruba tomorrow at 7:00 pm. Barbados won their opening fixture 2-0 over the hosts and will next tackle Antigua.

Jamaica - Duwayne Kerr, Keniel Moodie, Ajuran Brown, Troy Smith, Obrian Woodbine, Eric Vernon, Nicholy Finlayson, Ricardo Cousins, Edward Campbell (Mario Harrison 50th), Kemmar Daley (Brian Bayliss 68th), Steven Morrissey (Donovan Davis 66th). Subs not used: D Miller, A Reid, J Taylor, X Virgo. Booked: Cousins (38th)

Young Boyz score six against Antigua
Sept. 10, 2007
Jamaica's Under-23 footballers scored an impressive 6-1 win over Antigua and Barbuda in their Group B CFU Olympic Games qualification tournament at the Complehjo Deportivo here yesterday.

The U23 Reggae Boyz's win came via goals from Troy Smith (8th minute), Ricardo Cousins (26th), Keammar Daley (45th), Nicholy Finlayson (51st), Eric Vernon (65th) and Steven Morrissey (70th).
Antigua's solitary strike came from the boot of Ken Pennyweather in the 21st minute.

Jamaica’s Technical Director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic joined coach Wendell Downswell and was on the bench for yesterday's match. Bora was not originally scheduled to travel with the team here.
Jamaica will next face Barbados tomorrow at 5:00, while Aruba and Antigua cross swords at 7:00...More in the forum

Phillips lands three-year deal at Stoke
September 2,  2007
Jamaican international Demar Phillips was reported to have signed a three-year deal with English Championship division club Stoke City for an undisclosed fee.

Phillips, who previously played for Waterhouse in the Jamaica National Premier League, will join fellow Reggae Boy Ricardo Fuller at Stoke City. A talented left-sided player, Phillips has stepped into the limelight recently with a string of solid performances for the national senior team.

A talented left-sided player, the 23-year-old Phillips has emerged as one of the outstanding Jamaican talents under new technical director Velibor “Bora” Milutinovic experiment to identify top local players. Phillips has been outstanding playing on the left flank either in midfield or at left back while representing the national team this year.

The manager of Stoke City, Tony Pulis, expressed satisfaction and is delight with his new acquisition as he believes the midfielder is one for the future. Stoke is currently eighth in the Championship division after four games and is led by two goals from fellow Jamaican Ricardo Fuller.

Phillips, who so far has 27 appearances for the national team, also made a solid impact playing for Jamaica at the youth level...Read more in the Forum

Reggae Boyz to play Colombia friendly
August 31
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz fans will be excited to learn that the senior team is expected to include a number of top players when they face Colombia in an international friendly early next month.

Although final negotiations are still ongoing, the game is scheduled to be played in Colombia on September 12 which is a FIFA international match date.  The game will also be the first for the senior Boyz since their unsuccessful Asia tour in June which was made up entirely of local-based players.

Early reports of players to be called include Jamaican internationals Luton Shelton (Sheffield United), Damion Stewart of Queen's Park Rangers, Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Southend), Claude Davis (Derby County) and Ricardo Gardner (Bolton).  There is still a question of availability of some players due to other commitments and injuries. National technical director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, will now have an opportunity to take a look at some of Jamaica’s top professional players since his initial Phase 1 experiment of building a strong local-based squad. Read more in the Forum.

Gardner scores in Boltons victory
Jamaican international Ricardo Gardner was on the scoresheet as Bolton Wanderers defeated Radcliffe Borough 4-0 in a rescheduled friendly at Stainton Park.Gardner, playing his second game in a week following following his return from injury, scored directly from a corner-kick to break the deadlock.The other goals were scored by Temitope Odabeyi, Matt Cassidy and Zoltan Harsanyi to completed Bolton Wanderers victory. More in the forum

NPL Season kick-off could be delayed by sponsorship talks
August 20, 2007
The September 16 start of the Wray & Nephew National Premier League (NPL) season could be delayed due to ongoing discussions regarding sponsorship between the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the clubs.

The newly-formed Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), was established to help with the financing of the 12 clubs in the membership and is pursuing discussions with a number of companies to attract financial support. The PLCA members of the board includes Edward Seaga as chairman,  Portmore's Howard McIntosh as secretary, Harbour View's Clyde Jureidini as assistant company secretary, Carvel Stewart as deputy chairman and Waterhouse's Chris Bicknell as treasurer.

One of the major objectives of the PLCA is for clubs to be properly financed so that they can pay salaries and other expenses incurred during the season. In addition, clubs would like to put their individual sponsors' logos on the front of their jerseys - a move which title sponsor Wray & Nephew are not happy with.

As the title sponsor, the Wray & Nephew logo has been affixed to the front of the jersey for the last five years and is regarded as on of their biggest assets of their sponsorship deal with the JFF. In a report published in the Jamaica Observer, Wray & Nephew's promotions and communications manager Andrew Price stated that “We already have our arrangements and a signed contract for the next five years with the JFF, so right now the dialogue is between the clubs and the JFF”.

In a discussion on TheReggaeBoyz.com forum, Karl, a forum member, stated “I don't think the Wray and Nephew brand by itself has done enough financially for the individual teams. I know Wray & Nephew, is more concerned with its brand name and receiving, personal value for its money, but at some point the JFF needs to start thinking professionally and with some foresight if they want to create an environment for professional development”. More in the Forum

Boxhill will not seek re-election in November
August 12, 2007
The re-election, showdown between JFF’s president Crenston Boxhill and the former president Captain Horace Burrell, for the presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) on November 4, 2007, will not take place. Boxhill has made it clear that he will not be seeking re-election for that post which he has held since November, 2003.

In an interview with The Gleaner, “ Boxhill cited the increased polarisation of the country's football and the unlevel playing field, with contender Burrell 'compromising the process' by his sponsorship of a number of parish associations as major reasons for him to step aside”.

The report states that Boxhill is concerned about the deep divisions in the sport saying that “The current administration has faced the most consistent effort of undermining than any previous administration and it does occupy my mind that if it is going to continue, how realistic it will be to build on the momentum, if at every step of the way one has to be looking over one's shoulders.”

Boxhill also touched on the “The Back to Africa campaign”  saying that the momentum will be stepped up with the addition of some high-quality sponsorship which is yet to be revealed. Read the full report.

Boxhill Salutes Silver-Medal Winning U-20 Reggae Boyz
August 4, 2007
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Crenston Boxhill,  congratulated the Pan Am Games silver-medal winning National U-20 Reggae Boyz at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on their outstanding performance. The luncheon was hosted by major sponsors Grace Foods and Services, Digicel and Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation (JUTC).

Ladies and gentlemen:
At some point in the implementation of a strategy or programme, one is able to determine its true character and its essence.

I am of the unreserved opinion that the team that we pay tribute to today and its accomplishments is a true manifestation of the vision and programme that has characterised and driven my administration.

And for that I am well pleased.

What has been this vision? Simply put …….. Ladies and gentlemen, the only way to create a successful football programme with lasting benefits, is through a structured policy of exposure and development starting from the under 13 (or lower) and promoting the nurturing and transition of players through all age units to the national senior teams.
This vision aims to cater to Jamaican players regardless of gender or origin.

Recently we have correctly itemised the historic achievements of this team. It is indeed worth repeating for us to fully penetrate its significance.

The team became the first Jamaican team to defeat world beaters Argentina at any level of our football.

The team became the first Jamaican football team to reach the semi-finals or finals of the Pan Am games.

The team became the first Jamaican football team to reach the semi –finals and finals of an international tournament.

This was the first Jamaican team sport to win a medal at the Pan Am Games. Before this Jamaica had won 104 medals, all at the individual level.

The team became the first Caribbean football team to reach the finals of the Pan American games in twenty eight years.

The team had the leading goal scorer in the tournament. This is a tournament that includes players from Mexico, the USA, Brazil and Argentina.

This team won four matches on a trot, a feat hardly ever achieved by any Jamaican or Caribbean team neither regularly nor irregularly

And ladies and gentlemen, this team of young players achieved this all away from home, including playing at the infamous sometimes intimidating, Maracana stadium with its 100,000 spectator capacity.

This team followed on the heels of the Jamaican national U-17 team who in May of this year defeated the United States of America becoming the first Jamaican team to defeat the USA in an international tournament.

That same youth team in February of this year defeated Mexico, again the very first time a Jamaican team was defeating Mexico at this level.

Ladies and gentlemen, what has unfolded over these past months is no fluke, it is no co-incidence nor is it good luck.

These performances are the result of a very conscious and directed policy that has had youth development at the center of its decisions and strategy. In fact I would say that the only factor that has limited greater success in our youth development thrust has been resource and financial constraints. It certainly has not been any confusion about what will lead to a successful programme.

How do we know that it is as a result of policy? I can say that every time an opportunity has arisen for a team to travel, for Jamaica to participate in a tournament, we have always sought to expose local, young talent. Our two major objectives have been….doing well and exposing our young talent.

In fact I would go so far as to say that the policies pursued by the administration have represented the most consistent attention to developing local young talent ever witnessed in Jamaica’s football programme.

We made the first shift in 2005 after the exit from the world cup qualifications and we did have the skeptics. We have seen Luton Shelton, Damion Stewart and others rise to that occasion.

It was also in 2005 that we developed the road to South Korea plan. Our youth scouts traveled the length and breadth of Jamaica, identified the best of our under 15 talent. They went to Trinidad, won the Caribbean under 15 championship.

We kept them together for close to two years at an approximate cost of fifteen million dollars. They came within one game of qualifying for the U-17 World Cup and the nation and I were furious.

The federation quickly assessed what had gone wrong but please recall that in the midst of the disappointment, I stated emphatically that………. The level of investment and the preparation techniques would pay off if the team members got further opportunities to play.

Ladies and gentlemen, when the Pan Am authorities changed the age limit for the Pan Am Games from twenty three to twenty years, the first opportunity came and again we did not miss it.

The coaching staff included three of those players in this pan am squad and the rest is history.

Even more, a deeper analysis of the eighteen man squad that is assembled here will reveal only one debutante.

Seventeen members had a fair amount of international experience. Seventeen of these players had been through the ranks of our under 15; under 17 and under 20 programmes.

Critical also in all of this has been our decision to put at the helm of the scouting and preparation, two of Jamaica’s most experienced and indeed successful youth coaches, Wendell Downswell and Jackie Walters.

Nothing can replace the knowledge they have of the performances of the players over the years through the different units.

Despite our acknowledged progress, I do recognise that we have not achieved the ultimate in world cup qualification at any of the age group levels. I recognise how important it is to the Jamaican people and how it is used as a benchmark of true success.

I share that view too and I have that dream too. We however want it to be real success, a reflection of definite progress in the programme.

We are all too reminded that despite our proud qualification to the 1999 and 2001 age group world cup, by 2004 we were only able to find five players from those two squads for our 2004 Olympic team.

Even more startling, is the reality that six and eight years since qualification at those youth world cups, we can only identify two, yes, two players who are currently part of our senior world cup team (one being re-called by coach Bora recently) it is precisely now that they should be blossoming at the senior level.

What has therefore characterised the difference is that youth development has been the center of our decisions.

The result ladies and gentlemen is that we have a squad before us averaging nineteen years old which includes two players with 50 and 60 international caps.

Many of us forget that goal keeper Dwayne Kerr was on the squad when the team played England in that historic tour. There is nothing to replace the exposure we have sought to give. You do not always have to play. But you must learn.

Another unique element of our youth thrust has been that it has not been gender based. In 2006 Jamaica’s U-20 Women’s team went the furthest of any Caribbean women’s team in history of CONCACAF

At the very pan am games which we discuss today, we had a Jamaican women’s football team, the first ever in our history.

Ladies and gentlemen, when I say that it is only financial constraints that have limited more progress, I wish you to travel with me just over the last seven months and look to the next two months.

February 2007 we hosted Mexico and the USA as part of the preparation plans for our national under 17 team

April, two months later, we hosted the qualifiers at an announced cost of fifteen million dollars

July, we had to prepare this same team for the pan am games

July, we also had to prepare the senior Women’s team for the pan am games.

July our under 20 women participated in world cup qualifiers in Bahamas coming out topping the zone.

August, two weeks from today our national U-15 team will have to participate in the CFU U-15 tournament in Trinidad

August, the very important JFF under 13 competition will be held throughout the confederations.

August we continue preparations for the Olympic qualifiers in September. We see Jamaica’s participation in the 2008 Olympics as a vital stage in our programme

Right after we will be fielding our first ever U-17 Women’s team for the CFU U-17 Women’s Tournament


Ladies and gentlemen, many of these youth competitions are not sponsored. I am however confident that the success of this team and the revelation of what led to their success will attract more sponsorship to youth football.

In the midst of this all ladies and gentlemen, we have the ultimate, the 2010 world cup to qualify for.

Preparation I will remind you is not just the local camps, its international camps and indeed international games.

The administration has been criticised many a time for insufficient preparation. I hope you are somewhat clearer now on the demands that make the preparation sometimes challenging.

I assure you ladies and gentlemen, any other way will bring misery and frustration.

I would be the first to admit that much more needs to be done. The infrastructure, the management and the coaching at all levels needs major improvement. Even more needs to be done on our retention levels, but what I can also assure you is that what we saw from this team is a great start of a vision beginning to come true.

One small point; what I found also admirable about the team’s performance was their sense of confidence. Amongst a sea of Mexicans, Argentineans, Brazilians and Colombians, no obvious sign of intimidation and this was cemented by Coach Downswell’s report that the team did better each game they played.

Despite playing so well and making us feel so proud, we did not even see a smile of joy as they collected their medals. They were hurt that they had not received the gold for Jamaica and themselves. I even saw tears.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are the footballers of our future. This is why we work so hard.

Please salute them once again.

A quick word on what’s next for this team, as many have asked, when Coach Bora took a U-23 team to play for the Lunar Cup in February, it was part of his vision that they would have been the core of the Olympic squad on their way to being part of the 2010 World Cup squad.

The change of the age group category for the pan am games and the subsequent exposure received by these players, means that the coaching staff has the dream of any coaching unit, a wider pool from which to assemble the best Olympic squad, the original group plus this group of players.

In fact Coach Downswell has already whispered, coach can I whisper aloud? He told me that that squad of 18 for the Olympics could very well include 50% of these players.

Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at a president of the Jamaica Football Federation who is extremely pleased and delighted. I said at the beginning it is a great start to a vision becoming a reality.

This aspect of the journey just completed would not have been as pleasant without the tremendous and I repeat tremendous support of the officials of the Jamaica Olympic Association and its president, Mr. Michael fennel. The quality of organisation, preparation, consultation that was given over a period of time was unequalled.

We received tremendous support and I have no doubt that this played a very big role in the team’s success. Thank you Mr. Fennel

Even further thanks to our sponsors, the JUTC, Petrojam for the very important provision of transportation; Digicel, our official mobile provider; the Sport Devlopment Foundation; Grace Foods for nutritional support; WATA for refreshments just to name some.

Finally my personal thanks to Coach Downswell and the technical staff for a job well done.

Ladies and gentlemen, the stage is now set. I call on all Jamaica, sponsors from the public and private sectors, football administrators, coaches, football fans, journalists to support our efforts in building football from the bottom up. Discuss this in the forum

U-20 Reggae Boyz Captures Historic Silver
July 28, 2007
Jamaica's U-20 Reggae Boyz played a hard fought game but failed to stop Equador for the gold medal in the Pan American Games football final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro Brazil yesterday. Jamaica, the first Caribbean nation in 28 years to reach the finals, fell 2-1 to their South American opponents in capturing their historic silver medal.

The game started in chilly conditions and Jamaica stunned their opponents in the fifth minute as Eric Vernon latched on to a perfectly waited pass from Kemmar Daley, and calmly slip the ball past Ecuadorian custodian Maximo Banguera. With the small Brazilian crowd firmly in Jamaica's corner cheering every move, and their confidence lifted by the early goal, the young Boyz took control as they had the Ecuadorian defenders in disarray early in the first half.

Ecuador slowly settled and proceeded to dominate, forcing the Jamaican keeper Duwayne Kerr to pull off a few excellent saves. In one such move, late in the half, Kerr had to change direction in mid-air to stop a well-struck 30 yard shot from Israel Chango. Jamaica ended the half leading 1 goal to nil.

The second half started with Jamaica on the attack and they should have increased their lead on the one minute mark. In a quick attack, James Thomas weaved his way into the box but slipped as he was about to shoot and messed up the opportunity. As the game progressed The Reggae Boyz seemed to take a defensive posture giving the Ecuadorians more room to attack.

One such attack paid dividends in the 79th minute, as a goal mouth scramble led to the ball falling into the path of Montero who put it past Kerr from close range.   The young Boyz faced a further setback six minutes from the end of the game as a very questionable penalty was awarded to Ecuador by the Brazilian referee. Captain Edmundo Zura made no mistake in converting the penalty, sending it to the left of Kerr.

According to reports in the Jamaica Observer, “Coach Downswell conceded that his charges suffered from mental lapses in the latter quarter of the game” but continued to say that “when you look at what we have achieved here (in Brazil), I think we have done exceptionally well to finish as silver medalists,”

The National U-20 Team returns to Jamaica on Sunday, July 29 at 11:25am on American Airlines flight AA-1723.
Team Jamaica: Duwayne Kerr (GK), Ajuran Brown, Eric Vernon (74th), Obrian Woodbine, Damaine Thompson, Troy Smith, Ricardo Cousins, Kaemmar Daley, Edward Campbell (46th), John-Ross Doyley (67th), James Thomas. Subs: Dwayne Miller, Anderae Campbell, Jermaine Jarrett, Alanzo Adlam (74th), Dwayne Smith (46th), Norman Bailey (67th), Draion McNain. More in the Forum

Boyz Advance to Gold Medal Round
July 25, 2007
Jamaica's Under-20 Men's Football Team continued their winning form by beating CONCACAF rivals Mexico 5-4 on penalty shoot-out in the  XV Pan American Games. The win advanced the Boyz to the finals where they will meet Ecuador who beat Bolivia 1-0 in their semi-final game.

Playing without key players John-Ross Doyley and Eric Vernon due to suspensions, the Wendell Downswell-coached  Boyz held the Mexicans to a 0-0 scoreline after regulation play and extra-time. The game went to penalty kicks with Norman Bailey Dwayne Kerr, Dawyne Smith, Troy Smith and James Thomas scoring for Jamaica. Obrian Woodbine missed the target and Ricardo Cousins’ shot was saved by the Mexican goalkeeper Sergio Arias. Other teams that have fallen victims to the young Boyz in the tournament are Colombia (1-0), Argentina (2-0) and Haiti (4-0).

Jamaica, who is the first Caribbean team to reach the tournament’s final since Cuba in 1979, will face Ecuador for the gold medal at the Maracanã Stadium on Friday (27 July) at 3:00 pm (1:00 pm Jamaica time),, while Mexico will take on Bolivia for the bronze medal.
JAMAICA: Dwayne Kerr – Ajuran Brown, Ricardo Cousins, Kemmar Daley, James Thomas, Edward Campbell (78: Alanzo Alam), Obrian Woodbine, Dawyne Smith, Norman Bailey, Damaine Thompson, Troy Smith. Booked: Brown 45’…More in the Forum

Boyz secure semi-finals spot with win over Haiti
July 22, 2007
Jamaica's Under-20 Reggae Boyz booked their place in the semi-finals of the XV (15th) Pan American Games by beating Haiti 4-0 to top Group "C" at the Zico Football Centre in Brazil.  With victories against Colombia (1-0), Argentina (2-0), and Haiti, The Boyz, ended with maximum nine points and will next face giants Mexico who finishing second behind Bolivia in Group "B" for a place in the final.

Jamaica opened the scoring two minutes into the game as James Thomas latched onto a right-sided cross supplied by Reno's Obrian Woodbine and put it pass the Haitian goalkeeper. Sixteen minutes later, midfielder John-Ross Doyley made it 2-0 when he struck a spectacular left-footed free kick from some 40 yards out.  Kemmar Daley notched his fourth goal of the tournament in the 26th minute giving Jamaica a 3-0 lead at halftime.

In the 49th minute Doyley was ejected from the game  for an unnecessarily dangerous tackle in the centre circle leaving the Boyz with a man short. Captain Ricardo Cousins put the game out of the reach of Haiti in the 67th minute with a good strike pass the keeper. The final score could have been five for Jamaica but Daley uncharacteristically missed a penalty. Wendell Downswell, the former coach of Reggae Boyz senior team, said they achieved their first objective which was making it to the semis. The semifinals will take place on Tuesday (24 July) at the Maracanã Stadium with Jamaica taking on Mexico and then Bolivia facing Ecuador....More in the forum.

Young Reggae Boyz shock Argentina
July 19, 2007
The Young Reggae Boyz shocked South American giants Argentina with a 2-0 victory in Group C of the men's competition at the Miecimo da Silva Sports Complex. The win gives Jamaica top spot in the group and a guaranteed place in the semi-finals. Jamaica are on six points from two games ahead of Colombia, three from two, and Argentina and Haiti, one point each from two matches. Colombia beat Haiti 1-0 yesterday.

Meadhaven United player Kaemmar Daley continued his good form by taking his tally for the tournament to three, as he scored both goals for the Young Boyz in the 80th and 90th minutes. Former technical director and coach of the U-20 team, Wendell Downswell,  said he was pleased with the mental toughest of his players. In a report from the Jamaica Observer he stated that "We identified their (Argentina's) weaknesses and made the tactical charges. I think we played splendidly in the second half and the two goals that we score were beautiful, so overall we are pleased with the performance".

The men’s tournament continues on Saturday (21 July) as the USA faces Mexico at the Maracanã Stadium and then Brazil hosts Ecuador. Also on Saturday, Venezuela meets Bolivia at the Zico Football Center and then Jamaica plays against Haiti, while at the Miécimo da Silva Sport Complex will have Argentina taking on Colombia and then Costa Rica versus Honduras. The three group winners along with the best second-place finisher will advance to the semifinals at Maracanã Stadium on 24 July. The bronze and gold medal games will take place on 27 July also at Maracanã Stadium.

JAMAICA: Dwayne Kerr – Ajuran Brown, Ricardo Cousins, Eric Vernon, Kemmar Daley, Edward Campbell (72: Dawyne Smith), Obrian Woodbine, Alanzo Adlam (52: James Thomas), John-Ross Doyley, Damaine Thompson, Troy Smith. Booked: Campbell 34’, Vernon 52’
ARG: Jose Luis Cornalo – Mariano Ezequiel Bittolo (60: Maximiliano Raffaele), Guido Pizarro, Gaston Sauro, Alvaro Klusener, Franco Zuculini (70: Pablo Sergio Rolon), Nahuel Fernandes, Ezequiel Muñoz (86: Gaston Villarreal), Leandro Basterrechea, Fabio Rodrigo Gimenez, Carlos Benitez. Booked: Klusener 56’, Basterrechea 84. More in the Forum

Under-20 Reggae Boyz defeat Colombia
July 16, 2007
Jamaica's Young Reggae Boyz began their Pan American Games campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Colombia in their first round Under-20 Group C match at the Zico Football Centre yesterday. Meadhaven United midfielder Keammar Daley scored the winning goal in the 76th minute after stealing the ball from an opposing defender and slotting it past Colombian goalkeeper Javier Cardona.

The Wendell Downswell-coached team dominated play but squandered many chances to score. Downswell, the former technical director of Jamaica’s football, told the Jamaica Observer that the team could have played even better if they had more pre-tournament time. He went on to say that “having won this game, we have set the stage now and our intention is to build on this victory,"
Three Jamaican players, Cousins (57th), Edward Campbell (75th) and Ajuran Brown (86th were cautioned, while Colombia's Rodriquez was shown the yellow card in the 19th minute. The Young Reggae Boyz will next play main Group C rivals Argentina on Wednesday.

Teams: Jamaica - Duwayne Kerr, Ajuran Brown, Eric Vernon, Obrian Woodbine, Damaine Thompson, Troy Smith, Ricardo Cousins, Kemmar Daley, Edward Campbell, John-Ross Doyley, Alanzo Adlam.Subs not used: Dwayne Miller, Andrae Campbell, Jermaine Jarrett, James Thomas, Dwayne Smith, Norman Bailey, Draion McNain
Colombia - Javier Cardona, Edward Zea, Sebastian Viafara, Carlos Ramos, Andres Mosquera, Charles Quinto, Juian Guillermo, James Rodriguez, Luis Mosquera, Cristian Nazareth, Edgar Filipe PArdo. ....More in the Forum

Brazilians spank Reggae Girlz 5-0
July 15, 2007
Showing their superiority, Brazil outplayed Jamaica's Senior Women's footballers, beating them 5-0 in their second match of Group 'A' action here yesterday at the Joao Havalange Olympic Stadium. Brazil now moves to the top of the group with six points from two games, followed by Canada with three from one then followed by Jamaica with three points from two matches.

Brazil opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Katia Celine pounced on a fumbled ball by Jamaican custodian Paula Jackson in the six-yard box and tapped it into an empty net. Brazil struck again in the 23rd minute with a beautiful curling shot 20 yards out from Daniela Alves The scoreline could have been much worse at half-time had it not been for some poor finishing and a couple brilliant saves by Jackson in goal for Jamaica.

Brazil kept the pressure in the second half netting another three goals. The third goal came in the 52nd minute when Celine easily tapped in a left-sided cross supplied by the marauding Silva. Thirteen minutes later, a clumsy tackle by Fearon in the box led to a penalty which was converted by Silva to make the score 4-0. Brazil's fifth goal again came from the penalty spot after Jackson brought down Cilene inside the box.The Reggae Girlz's next outing will be against Uruguay tomorrow at the Miecimo da Silva Complex, the venue where they beat Ecuador 1-0.

Teams
Jamaica - Paula Jackson, Christina Murray (Audia Sullivan 56th), Julie Fearon, Diana Hue, Hishamar Falconer, Nicola Bell (Iesha Mowatt 67th), Jodi-Ann McGreggor, Tanesia Vassell, Sashsheena Stewart, Venecia Reid, Tashana Vincent.
Booked: (C Murray 16th), (V Reid 27th), (H Falconer 30th).
Subs not used: P Campbell, M Facey, Y Golding, S Clarke.
Brazil - Andreia Suntaque, Pellegrino Aline, Renata Costa, Elaine Moura, Rosana Augusto, Tania Ribeiro, (Christine Silva 69th), Daniela Alves, Miraildes Mota (Delma Goncalves 80th), Katia Cilene, Marta Silva, Andreia Santos.....More in the Forum.

Winning Start for The Reggae Girlz
July 13. 2007
JAMAICA'S REGGAE Girlz  got off to a good start in their first-ever Pan American Games campaign yesterday  by defeating  Ecuador 1-0 at the Miecimo Complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Reggae Girlz scored the winning goal in the 47th minute when Tashana Vincent of Portmore Strikers held off a couple of defenders before lobbing the ball pass the advancing Ecuadorian goalkeeper. The result puts the Reggae Girlz on top of the Group with hosts Brazil who defeated Uruguay 4-0.

The game was played in water logged conditions and The Jamaica Observer states that “The Reggae Girlz dominated the early exchanges, stringing together more passes than their disorganized opponents and came close to scoring with two good chances”. A well-struck free-kick by Davis rebounded off the crossbar in the seventh minute, followed later by a header from Reid in the penalty box which went wide of the up-right.

Jamaica has been drawn into a five (5) team group which includes Brazil, Canada, Ecuador and Uruguay. The second group includes Argentina, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and USA. The Girlz, will next play Brazil on Saturday at the Joao Havalange Stadium.
See fixtures below..... More in the Forum

Jamaica ends four game Asian tour on low note
July 3, 2007
Jamaica ended its four game Asian tour on a low note as they were defeated 8-1 by the Republic of Iran in their international friendly at the Azadi Sports Complex. In what has been called a surgical demolition of Jamaica, Iran sent a strong warning to their Asian rivals that Iran is serious about winning the upcoming Asian Cup which it captured in 1968, 1972 and 1976. 

With Iran using its full team and a star studded line up, the young and inexperienced Reggae Boyz were overwhelmed unable to offer any threat to the Asian Powerhouse. This was quickly evident as in the first 40 seconds of play, Iran’s Hashemian unleashed a powerful shot which goalkeeper Dwayne Miller parried for a corner. From the resulting corner kick, Javad Nekounam scored with a nice header from the back post.

Iran continued their attacked on Jamaica and scored their 2nd goal in as many minutes when Merhzad Madanchi unleashed a powerful shot from about 25 meters past the diving Miller. Although the Reggae Boyz tried to regroup, it was to no avail as the Iranians continued their assault scoring two more goals from Madanchi and Hashemian before the first half ended.

In the second half, Iran picked up where they had left off scoring 4 more goals. Although out-played and unable to create serious scoring chances, Jamaica was able to grab back a goal midway through the half. Fabian Taylor hit a header past substitute goal-keeper Mehi Rahmati from a Fabian Davis corner delivery.

The Boyz are scheduled to depart Iran on Wednesday morning for Los Angeles via the Netherlands. They are expected home on Thursday morning. More in the forum

Final Score: IRAN 8 - JAMAICA 1
HALF TIME 4-0
SCORERS:
Iran: Nekounam ( 1’ & 2) , Madanchi (2) , Hashemian , Khatibi (2) , Enayati
Jamaica: Taylor F.
Venue : Azadi Stadium , Tehran
Crowds : 15000
Referee: MOMBINI Hedayat (Iran)
Teams:
Jamaica - Dwayne Miller (Richard McCallum 46th), Donald Stewart, Adrian Reid, Mario Swaby (Xavian Virgo 26th), Lovel Palmer (Rodolph Austin 54th), Nicholy Finlayson (Donovan Davis 81st), Richard Edwards, Demar Phillips, Mario Harrison (Keneil Moodie 62nd), Wolry Wolfe (Fabian Davis 46th), Fabian Taylor.
Booked: Edwards (44th). Subs not used: Allien Whittaker
Iran - Hassan Roudbarian (Mehdi Rahmati 59th), Mehdi Mahdavikia (Rasoul Paki Khatibi 69th), Hossein Kaebi, Seyed Jalal Hosseini (Mohammad Nosrati 68th), Rahman Rezaeb (Hadi Shanouri 60th), Javad Nekounam, Mohammas Ali Karimi, Mehrzad Madanchi, Sattar Zare, Masoud Soleimani Shojael, Vahid Hashemian (Gholamreza Enayati 85th). More in the forum

Reggae Boyz defeat Malaysia 2-0
 June 28
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz defeated Malaysia 2-0 in their friendly international in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. It is the first win for the young Jamaican team on their four game tour of Asia after losing 2-1 against Indonesia and 3-0 to Vietnam.

Goals Christopher Harvey and Wolry Wolfe were enough to hand Malaysia their second straight defeat in preparation of the Asian Cup, having lost 3-1 to United Arab Emirates last week.  Jamaica Technical Director is using the tour to give the young players experience at the international level but has come under much fire from Reggae Boyz fans for the teams losses in recent games.

The Reggae Boyz will next travel to the Middle East to face a strong Iranian team, ranked 47th in the Coca-Cola FIFA Ranking. Malaysia will play their first match of the Asian Cup against China on July 10 and will also face Iran and Uzbekistan in the group stages. The Asian Cup runs from July 7-29.

Boyz fall to second defeat of their Asian tour
July 25
Vietnam beat Jamaica 3-0 in a friendly international at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.  This was the second defeat of their Asian tour after the 22-man local based Reggae Boyz squad lost 2-1 against Indonesia.

Playing before a sparse crowd in Hanoi's My Dinh National Stadium, Vietnam took an early lead when star striker Le Cong Vinh scored in the eighth minute.

The host continued to pressure and scored again when midfielder Tran Duc Duong blasted a powerful shot past Jamaican custodian Richard McCallum in the 66th minute.

The energetic hosts extended their lead against Jamaica when Nguyen Anh took advantage of poor defending and scored the final goal in the 90th minute.

Vietnam's Austrian coach Alfred Riedl rotated several of his players during the match to prepare the squad for the July 7-29 Asian Cup, which Vietnam is co-hosting with Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.
The Reggae Boyz, ranked 68th in the last FIFA world rankings, have now lost their third friendly in a row and continues to struggle mightily under new technical director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic.
Jamaica, which is using the tour to prepare for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers will next play Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday before wrapping up their four-nation Asian tour in Iran on July 2. Read more in the Forum

Reggae Boyz fall to Indonesia
June 21
Jamaica’s four-match  tour of Asia  got off to a poor start as they lost 2-1 to Indonesia in their friendly international at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium yesterday. Striker Bambang Pamungkas was too much to for the Jamaicans as he scored two goals on his opponents which had to take the pitch just 24 hours after a 40-hour trip.  

After a scoreless first half, Indonesia went ahead when Reggae Boyz substitute Richard Edwards carelessly gave up possession of the ball allowing Pamungkas to slot past Jamaican custodian Richard McCallum in the 58th minute. Portmore United midfielder Wolry Wolfe put Jamaica level on 73 minutes with a well-taken goal. Wolfe received a pass from Harrison and unleashed a screamer which flew into the far side of the goal. Pamungkas again posed a serious problem for the Reggae Boyz as he beat keeper McCallum on the stroke of full time to give Indonesia the win.

A few of the Jamaican players appeared to suffer from muscle spasms and cramps during and after the game caused from dehydration associated with the long flight plus hot and humid conditions. Jamaica will now prepare for their second friendly international against Vietnam on Sunday. The Vietnamese have been in camp since Monday and are, like Indonesia, preparing to take part in the Asia Cup

Jamaica’s team included Richard McCallum, Jermaine Taylor, Christopher Harvey, Mario Swaby, Lovel Palmer (Adrian Reid 75th), Donald Stewart, Nicholy Finlayson (Mario Harrison 46th), Demar Phillips (Xavian Virgo 86th), Fabian Davis (Rudolph Austin 78th), Wolry Wolfe, Donovan Davis (Richard Edwards 58th). More in the Forum

Reggae Boyz Tour Asia/Middle East
June18, 2007
The Jamaican National Senior Men’s Team, the Reggae Boyz, will go on a four nation friendly international tour between June 18 and July 4 where the team will face Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Iran. The tour represents the continued preparations of the team for the World Cup Qualifiers.

Jamaica, ranked 68 in the latest FIFA /Coca-Cola World Ranking, will face Indonesia on June 21, Vietnam on June 24,  Malaysia on June 28 and Iran on July 2. In his continued development of the younger, less experienced Reggae Boyz players, Jamaica’s Technical Director Bora Milutinovic, has named a 20 man squad of local based players for the tour. The players named goalkeepers Richard McCallum, Allien Whittaker and Dwayne Miller. Defenders Lovel Palmer, Christopher Harvey, Jermaine Taylor, Mario Swaby, Rodolph Austin, Adrian Reid, Xavian Virgo and Demar Phillips. Midfieldera and forwards Fabian Taylor, Richard Edwards, Donald Stewart, Nicholy Finlayson, Mario Harrison, Donovan Davis, Wolry Wolfe, Fabian Davis and Keneil Moodie.

The team leaves the island on Monday, June 18 at 2:10 on Air Jamaica flight 032 from the Norman Manley International Airport and will be accompanied by JFF officials
Crenston Boxhill, President; Orville Powell, Head of Delegation; Velibor Milutinovic, Technical Director; Donovan Duckie,  Asst. Coach; Pablo Camargo, Masseur; Dr. Mark Sanderson, Team Doctor and Michael Blair, Tour Manager. More in the forum

Jamaica replaces Trinidad and Tobago as top ranked Caribbean team
June 13, 2007
Jamaica is again the the highest ranked English-speaking Caribbean team in the latest FIFA /Coca-Cola World Ranking released yesterday. Italy remains on top of the rankings with France advancing to second place forcing Brazil into third place. Closing out the top ten are Germany, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, England, Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

Jamaica replaced Trinidad and Tobago as top ranked Caribbean team moving from 69th to 68th making them the 7th ranked CONCACAF team. The most significant move made by a CONCACAF team was that of Canada who moved 38 places to be ranked 56th in the world and 6th in CONCACAF. USA moved up 13 places to be ranked 16th in the world and 1st in CONCACAF while Mexico dropped 6 places to 26th in the world and 2nd in CONCACAF.

Top ten CONCACAF Table

1. FIFA World Cup final competition matches
2. FIFA World Cup qualifying competition matches
3. Continental Championship final competition matches
4. Continental Championship qualifying competition matches
5. Friendly matches

Ranking points are calculated based on the following criteria

1. Points for a win, draw or defeat
2. Type of competition (multiplication factor)
3. Strength of opponent (multiplication factor)
4. Strength of confederation in question (multiplication factor)

Additionally, the results a team has recorded in the previous twelve months are most important. Results from previous years are also taken into account but their value decreases annually until four years after the match was played (100% of ranking points for matches played in the last 12 months, 50% of ranking points for matches played in the last 12-24 months previously, 30% for matches played in the last 24-36 months and 20% for matches played in the last 36-48 months) at which point the result no longer has any impact on the ranking. Comment on this in the Forum

A Look from Half Line - Jamaica vs Chile
Forum member pHoQrY shares his view on the game
June 8, 2006
Firstly let me commend the Chilean team on sharing with us a few match footballs. Not even our own team ever did that before...they got x amount of ratings with that gesture.

However, when the game began, it was obvious that we were superior to them. We created more, looked in better shape, played in better shape and for some reason were never really threatened by Chile.

Chile had very good spurts of ball possession which fizzed out into nothing. The defense and midfield moved in tandem and worked together (the first in a very loooooong time i see this in Jamaican football).

Chile scored because defensively Jamaica lacked appropriate experience. The defenders and goalkeeper forgot the golden rule (never stop playing until the whistle blows). That pause in motion gave the scorer enough of an opportunity to take their one of very few chances.

Defensively we looked good...I was impressed...I actually liked the posture of the team. Midfield however still bothers me, and as the defense began bypassing the midfield, it made me realize that the problem was with the way center midfielders handled their tasks. If as a defender you pass to a free midfielder and his only recourse is to return the ball back to you, without even turning and looking for other opportunities, you will bypass him. Our center midfielders didn't show enough for the ball and when they did, they knocked the ball back to defense, leaving the pressure on the back four. When we got away , it was from lapses (which happened very frequently) in Chilean defending.

Wolrey Wolf came on and ruled the midfield from the left wing. He showed what proper midfield procedures are and for the short time he was on helped to established us as superior to Chile.

To cut it short...if u dont score you cant win...we got 5 clear cut chances and 4 half chances we did'nt score any. Chile got 1 clear cut and 3 half chances and scored on a half chance.

Good game, I commend coach Bora on his work, he obviously has improved the TEAM. Looking forward to some goals now...Read more and discuss in the forum

Chile blank Jamaica 1-0
June 6, 2007
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz fell to a 1-0 defeat by Chile in their friendly international at the National Stadium last night. The lone goal of the game came in the 19th minute as the visitors kept Jamaica off the scorecard.

The Reggae Boyz , gearing up for next year's CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, had several chances to take the lead early in the game but it was the Chileans who took the lead through Juan Gonzalo Lorca in the 19th minute.  After surviving some early pressure and a shot into the side of the net from 12 yards out by midfielder Lovel Palmer, Chile stormed into the Jamaican 18-yard area catching the defenders off guard and forcing custodian Richard McCallum  to leave his line giving Lorca enough time to fire home into a virtually empty goal.

The Reggae Boyz continued to pressure their opponents and in the 25th minute, Ricardo Fuller beat Chilean 'keeper Claudio Bravo to the ball but saw his shot cleared away. Five minutes later striker Luton Shelton was just unlucky as he saw his effort from the edge of the 18-yard area crash against the crossbar.

The second half saw Chile defending heavily, keeping Jamaica away from their goal area. The Reggae Boyz Forwards saw less of the ball and the few chances they got were never put away. In the 53 minute substitute Fabian Taylor looked sure to pull the score level from a Demar Phillips' cross but his header went straight to the Chilean custodian.  After a series of substitutions, the game dragged on to a boring and disappointing end. More in the Forum

Jamaica seeks victory over Chile  
June 5, 2007
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will try to achieve victory when they face Chile in an international football friendly at the National Stadium this evening at 7:00. This game may prove to be the strongest test for the Boys since they have been under the guidance of Technical Director Bora Milutinovic.

In four games since taking charge, Bora has had three drawn results and a loss.  In games against Hong Kong XI and China's Under-23s in the Hong Kong Lunar New Year Cup, both ended in extra time draws, before the Boyz went on to win on penalty kicks. They then lost 0-3 to Switzerland in Fort Lauderdale Florida, and then played to a 1-1 draw against Panama at home.

Today’s game will again showcase mainly locally-based players, as Bora continues to give international exposure to players that he hopes will comprise of a larger pool of players for the World Cup qualifiers next year. The 23-man squad includes four overseas-based players - Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City, English Championship), Luton Shelton (Sheffield United, English Championship), Damion Stewart (Queen's Park Rangers, English Championship) and Sean Fraser (Miami FC, USA League). Captain Ricardo Gardner of Bolton Wanderers (English Premiership) and Khari Stephenson (AIK Stockholm, Sweden) were also invited, but declined the invitation for different reasons.

Seven-time World Cup qualifiers Chile, who are currently ranked 43rd in the world, are also expected to field a fairly strong team. Their most recent games includes victories over Venezuela (1-0), Cuba 3-0 and 2-0; draws against two-time World champions Argentina (1-1), Costa Rica (1-1) and Haiti (0-0); losses against Brazil (0-4) and Costa Rica (0-2).

Reports from the Boyz training camp is that players are upbeat and the technical staff is pleased with effort of the players and the progress of the team. The Jamaica squad includes Andre Redwood, Mario Harrison, Allien Whittaker, Nicholy Finlayson, Jermaine Taylor, Demar Phillips, Donald Stewart, Richard McCallum, Fabian Taylor, Lovel Palmer, Wolry Wolfe, Christopher Harvey, Mario Swaby, Richard Edwards, Adrian Reid, Damion Stewart, Keneil Moodie, Luton Shelton, Donovan Davis, Sean Fraser, Fabian Davis, Ricardo Fuller and Xavian Virgo.

In the curtain-raiser at 5:00 pm, a Masters and Celebrities Invitational oppose an Entertainers and Celebrities Invitational. Some members of the Masters and Celebrities squad are: Clive 'Busy' Campbell, Richie Murray, Ian Wilkinson, Trevor 'TC' Campbell, Michael 'Jah Mikes' Williams, Hugh 'Bingy' Blair, Allan 'Skill' Cole, Peter Moses, Andrew Price, Lincoln Taffe, Zachary Harding, Rudolph Speid and Lenworth 'Teacher' Hyde. Some players in the Entertainers squad are: Spragga Benz, Lexxus, John Hype, Assassin, Kiprich, Captain Barkey and Wicker Man, Ding Dong, Mr. Balance (Snagga Puss), Nesbeth, Aidonia, Luciano, Wayne Marshall, Marvin Chin, Peter Prendergast, Capleton and Vybz Kartel.

Read more 2007 Jamaica Football News