WITH THEIR backs to the wall and a number of points to prove, the Reggae Boyz return to "the Office" this evening for their 6 p.m. engagement with Cuba.Today's game is a dress rehearsal for their opening game of the semi-final round of the 2002 Football Confederation against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on July 16. Unlike the previous campaign, the Reggae Boyz have had a number of obstacles in their way.
Firstly, former technical director Rene Simoes walked away in February and was not replaced until April by countryman Sebastiao Lazaroni. Following that was the sudden news that the semi-final games would be brought forward by two months. This was always going to upset the plans of the Jamaicans.
After just over two months on the job, Lazaroni threw in the towel, defeated by a string of poor results and what he termed 'a lack of commitment' on the part of some senior players. However, his departure paved the way for another Brazilian, Clovis de Oliveira, who took charge on Tuesday with a promise to try his best.
With just about five training sessions under his belt, de Oliveira's aim is to guide his team into preserving an unbeaten record at the Office which is heading into its sixth year. He is well aware of this.
"We need this result. I spoke with the players since I arrived and told them to forget the past. We have to work hard together now to get a good result.
"I told them they are the ones to put Jamaica's football on a high level and they cannot let themselves down," de Oliveira said.
Though de Oliveira, unlike Lazaroni, has most of the key players at his disposal, a reversal of fortunes, which saw the team lose four and draw one of five international friendlies, will not be an easy task.
Cuba have historically produced a tough challenge for Jamaica and today should be no different. Jamaica have only managed one win over Cuba in 25 years, beating the team 3-1 in 1997 just before that year's Shell Caribbean Cup tournament with two goals from Paul Hall and one from Deon Burton.
The last time the two nations met - last year at the Copa Caribe in Trinidad and Tobago - Jamaica were on the losing end. Cuba were also responsible for Jamaica's last loss on local soil before their 0-1 surrender to Panama in May. On that occasion, the locals were beaten 2-1.
What makes Cuba more dangerous this time around is that team members have benefited from training in Germany and they just narrowly missed out on qualifying for the semi-final round of the World Cup qualifiers. They were beaten 1-0 in their home and away games to Gold Cup winners Canada in the playoffs.
If names are anything to go by, the Reggae Boyz should not be overly worried about their major complaint - lack of goals - which has stalked them since they began shaping a team for the Orient Express - as on the forward line today will be the pair of Deon Burton and Walter Boyd. Burton the opportunist and Boyd the creative goalscorer were joint leading scorers for the country in their last campaign. In their only game together at the National Stadium both combined well and today both with be out to prove a point.
For Burton, the point will be to prove he has not lost his golden touch while Boyd will want to dismiss ideas that he is not committed to the programme.
Creative midfielder Theodore Whitmore who was also at odds with the JFF hierarchy recently is back in the fold and he too would want to convince the people.
In midfield Whitmore will be partnered by Christopher Dawes, Fitzroy Simpson and Daryll Powell as de Oliveira will experiment with a 4-4-2 formation unless he uses Simpson and Tyrone Marshall who should play at right back as flank players.
On Friday de Oliveira pledged to keep Jamaica's system of play intact.
"It's a culture of Jamaica's national team to play (a) 3-5-2 formation but I am going to try and keep it," he said.
If Onandi Lowe, who arrived yesterday, does not start today his place as sweeper will be taken by Shavar Thomas who along with Marshall will play their first senior game in front of the home crowd. Captain Linval Dixon and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts complete Jamaica's starting team.
Jamaica's starting team: Donovan Ricketts, Tyrone Marshall, Linval Dixon, Ian Goodison, Onandi Lowe or Shavar Thomas, Christopher Dawes, Theodore Whitmore, Fitroy Simpson, Darryll Powell, Deon Burton and Walter Boyd.
