18-year-old Alvas Powell to make Reggae Boyz WCQ debut
Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter
Eighteen year-old Portmore United defender Alvas Powell will make his World Cup qualifying debut this evening, as will Germany-born utility man Daniel Gordon, when the Reggae Boyz tackle Mexico in a crucial CONCACAF final round World Cup qualifier, inside the National Stadium starting at 8:30p.m.
Powell becomes the first teenager to represent Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier since Evan Taylor did so in 2008 as a 19 year-old.
Gordon, 28, who represents Karlsruher in the German second division, first featured for Jamaica during their recent 0-0 draw with Barclays Premier League team Tottenham Hotspurs in The Bahamas.
Goalkeeper Donavan Ricketts, will once again lead the team out on the field with O'brien Woodbine celebrating a return to the squad with a start - his first in a World Cup qualifier since September 2008.
The defensive unit will be completed by Reading's Adrian Mariappa, who will be looking to celebrating his 10th cap with a win for the Boyz.
Midfielder Jermaine Hue will also feature from the start, as will striker Ryan Johnson, who gets the nod ahead of Jermaine Beckford, Darren Mattocks and Theo Robinson.
Jamaica enter the match in last place in the hexagonal round with one point to their credit. Mexico are second to last on two points with Costa Rica, USA, Honduras on four points and leaders Panama on five points.
Jamaica Starting XI vs Mexico:
(Goalkeeper) Donovan Ricketts; (Defenders) Adrian Mariappa, Daniel Gordon, Alvas Powell, O’Brian Woodbine; (Midfielders) – Rodolph Austin, Marvin Elliot, Garath McCleary, Je-Vaughn Watson, Jermaine Hue; (Forward) – Ryan Johnson.
VOX POP: Reggae Boyz vs Mexico
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andre.lowe@gleanerjm.com