By Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor
JFF President, captain Horace Burrell.
INTERNATIONAL football returns to the National Stadium in a big way early next year.
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will face regional arch rivals United States in a high profile friendly on February 12 at 2.30 p.m.
In confirming the game yesterday president of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell, said he expected it to be a massive match.
"The United States are now the world's number nine ranked team and the game will be televised live in the United States," Captain Burrell said.
Local fans have been starved of top level senior international football in recent months. No football has been played inside the National Stadium since it was closed late last year for refurbishing ahead of the July's World Junior Championships. The JFF boss, however, said he has received assurances that the field will be ready for the game.
"I have been assured by chairman of the Urban Development Corporation, Dr Vin Lawrence, that the football field will be ready for that game. I have all the confidence in his word as the UDC did an excellent job in preparing the Stadium for the World Junior Championships," Captain Burrell said.
With the game to be played on an official FIFA match date, Captain Burrell said he expected all the top Reggae Boyz out of England, France and the United States to be here for the game.
English-based Boyz Ricardo Gardner of Bolton Wanderers, Fulham's Barry Hayles, Ricardo Fuller of English Division One club Preston and US-based Craig Ziadie and Andy Williams are among the stars who will be on show.
"I also expect the United States to field a very strong team, including leading goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Casey Keller," Burrell added.
Planning for the match has already started. The Americans will fly in on February 10, two days before the game, to get acclimatised.
Captain Burrell said there are tremendous benefits to be gained from the match and he hopes Jamaica will be able to take full advantage.
"This game will be played at the height of the Winter tourist season and we intend to meet with the Ministers of Tourism and Sport to see how we can expose the country during the live television coverage," he said.
The Reggae Boyz have had a hectic overseas schedule in recent months. Their unbeaten run include a 1-1 draw with world-rated Japan before a massive crowd in Tokyo and a 0-0 draw against Nigeria in Lagos a week ago.
