Young Reggae Boyz pushing through - U20s determined despite financial challenges, lack of match practice

As the Concacaf Under-20 Championship (July 25 - August 9), the final phase of the FIFA U20 World Cup qualification, draws closer, Jamaica’s U20s continue preparations in earnest, despite being short on competitive international practice games.

Coach Rodolph Austin noted that the financial constraints of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) make it difficult for the governing body to arrange international games on the young Reggae Boyz’s behalf.

Previously, youth national teams had Jamaica Premier League (JPL) clubs to offer them substantial practice matches, leading into major tournaments.

However, with the JPL on hiatus until September, Austin and his technical staff will only have Portmore United, Cavalier, and Mount Pleasant, who are preparing for the Caribbean Club Championship, which starts on August 4, as well as Montego Bay United, who are preparing for the Caribbean Shield, which starts on July 23, to provide them with high-quality games leading into the championship.

Austin revealed that they have still been working every day in preparation for the championship, with camps ongoing.

“So we are putting in the work,” he commented.

However, since securing their place in the championship, the young Reggae Boyz have played just a single practice game, beating Haiti’s U20s 1-0 in a friendly in Miami recently.

Despite the challenges, Austin insists they are preparing as best as they can.

“We had a game a few weeks ago in Miami. We do not have the financial capacity to get good international games. So what we will do is try to get some games with the teams that are preparing for the Caribbean Championships because those teams will start earlier.

“With good local Premier League teams to go at it with, that can be a good test for the young boys. But still, we have no choice, so we have to utilise what is in front of us,” he said.

The Boyz will open their account against Honduras on July 27, before taking on Panama in the second game on July 29. They then close out their group- stage fixtures against Canada on August 1.

Austin, the Jamaica Premier League title-winning coach with Portmore United, contends that as long as they continue to develop good team habits and put the best into their preparation, he is confident they can secure a semi-final spot, which means automatic qualification to the Youth World Cup.

“We just have to go there and play with confidence and play as a unit. Nothing beats when you play as a unit, as a team.

“Defend for each other, attack for each other, help each other in all phases of the game and we should be fine.

“So it’s not [a matter of] fair or not. We are trying to prepare ourselves the best we can. That’s all we can manage – the preparation. So that’s what we are doing and what we are focusing on,” he said.

He added that they are still hoping to add a few more pieces to strengthen the squad and their chances of qualification.

“We have been trying to get in some players who we couldn’t get for the first phase. So, hopefully, we will get them and see how they can help in the last part of the qualifers,” he stated.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com