U-17s looking to gain solid experience on Brazil tour

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's Under-17 team, which was feted by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) during a send-off ceremony at its offices on Monday night, left the island yesterday en route to Sao Paulo, Brazil for a three-week training camp, high on hopes and expectations.

The young Reggae Boyz, who are seeking to become the first Jamaica team - senior or junior - to qualify for a FIFA World Cup since 2001, are preparing for next year's CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, which will be held here in Jamaica next February at the Catherine Hall Stadium, St James, and the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

The draw for the championship takes place today and will be shown live on local television from the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, St James.

The tournament will serve as CONCACAF's qualifiers for the World Cup.

"It (the Brazil tour) should be a good experience for us because their facilities are right up there with other countries in Europe," said captain and midfielder, Wolmer's Boy's Omar Holness, who is one of 22 players in the touring party.

"We are the best set of youngsters in this age group in Jamaica at this time and the aim is to improve so that we can make the country proud," he added.

The send-off proved to be an entertaining affair and had a number of the players' parents, relatives, friends and well-wishers in attendance. The players and the coaching staff were also officially introduced to the media.

Training camps

Four overseas-based players are in the squad which, prior to their departure, participated in a number of training camps that focused primarily on fitness. Given their abilities and experience, it is hoped, that the four will play a pivotal role in the team's quest.

One such player is 16 year-old central defender, Quante Smith, who played a few practice matches for Canada. However, rather than lacing up for the North American country, he decided to choose the country of his mother's birth.

"Like everyone I have never been to Brazil before, but I hope to leave there with enough experience to be able to help the team qualify," said Smith, who has also played in Switzerland and France.

"I have had try-outs with the Canada team and Jamaica's team and Jamaica is definitely better and given the chance, I would love to play a role in us qualifying and doing well at the World Cup," he added.

Meanwhile, head coach Wendell Downswell said he too was looking forward to the Brazilian experience.

"Preparations have been going fairly well thus far. We got in two games against Canada and it helped us to assess where we are and what we need to do," said Downswell.

"By going to Brazil, which was made possible by Rene Simoes and a number of other Brazilians who came here before, we hope to improve on these things, especially given the fact that we will be going to a formidable training centre and will be playing some quality age-group and university teams."

SQUAD: Jason Wright (Wolmer's), Kemo Wallace (Wolmer's), Ramario Thompson (STETHS), Romario Jones (St George's), Andre Lewis (St George's), Jason Jacobs (STETHS), Noel Johnson (Glenmuir), Romane Brown (Muschett), Melvin Blair (Mannings) and Junior Flemmings (Jamaica College), Troy Moo-Penn (Manchester High), Nico Campbell (St George's), Omar Holness (Wolmer's), Patrick Palmer (Wolmer's), Romario Williams (Kingston College), Alvas Powell (Paul Bogle),Oshane Jenkins (St George's), Odean Clarke (Muschette), Shane Hardie (USA), Quante Smith (Canada), Shawn Lawson (Canada), and Jevani Brown (United Kingdom).