JPL champions rewarded with seven national call-ups
Published:Wednesday | July 27, 2022 | 12:12 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
CLYDE JUREIDINI, general manager of reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions, Harbour View, is more than pleased with the announcement from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) that seven players from his club have been called to the national team for a four-team tournament to be played against Morocco, Ghana and Qatar from August 20 to 26 in Austria.
Jureidini, in expressing his pleasure, has dubbed the seven, Amal Knight, Anthony Bennett, Shamarie Dyer, Oshane Staple, Odorland Harding, Trayvone Reid and Colorado Murray, the ‘magnificent seven’.
“It’s a good opportunity for the youngsters and, by extension, the club. We know the circumstances around a lot of the players who would have been selected, so we’re very grateful that they have performed well enough to be considered and are available for an opportunity like this for three International games in Austria. So with that, we’re happy for all of them,” Juriedini said.
Harbour View, under the guidance of head coach Ludlow Bernard, lifted their fifth Premier League title following a 6-5 penalty win over first-time finalists Dunbeholden FC.
FOCUSED
But Jureidini is also warning these players to remain focused to ensure that the club stays atop local football.
“That is something that you always wish for, but in reality, it doesn’t always happen. I’m happy to be back as five-time champions, so that’s good. The last time we won would have been 2013, which is longer than we’re used to. We had to change our modus operandi because of the high demands we’ve had on our players, the young ones and the older ones. We kept losing players, like Oquassa Chong as well, but this season fortunately we weren’t hit by that. With that, it gave us a chance to mould a team,” said Jureidini.
Known for having a high ratio of players being signed to overseas contracts, Jureidini said with these upcoming international fixtures, he knows eyes will be on some, if not all of the players from the ‘Stars of the East’.
“With these upcoming three international games, one in Connecticut, one in New York and another in Cayman, we know scouts will be there. Some have indicated to us and the organisers that they will be looking. We will see what the future brings and see if there will be any real decisions to be made or continue to build, bit by bit,” Jureidini concluded.
The complete squad is yet to be released.