Jamaica U17s to end camp with Arnett fixture

With less than 10 days remaining before their opening match at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup against Italy, Jamaica’s Under-17 Reggae Boyz will conclude their preparations with a practice game against Arnett Gardens at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Jamaica’s group at the World Cup also includes African champions Ivory Coast and Uzbekistan, and head coach Wendell Downswell said much of the team’s focus heading into the tournament has been on their opening opponents.

Downswell believes a positive result against the European champions will be crucial if Jamaica are to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in three Under-17 World Cup appearances.

“We are quite optimistic that we will be able to come out of the zone, and so we will be placing a lot of emphasis on the opening game against Italy.

“Tactically, we have seen them, and we are planning accordingly. Therefore, I think our physical and technical ability compounded with the tactical discipline we displayed in the qualifiers. That in itself should be able to get us across the line.”

The veteran coach said the team has also studied their other group opponents, but Italy remain the main priority.

“We have been looking at the other teams on videos, but we will have the opportunity to watch the other game between Ivory Coast and Uzbekistan. So the focus is mainly on Italy,” he said.

Downswell noted that the team’s primary objective is to progress from the group, and despite a shortage of international practice matches in the build-up to the tournament, he remains confident in the quality of his players.

“We are looking to get a point (against Italy) if we cannot get the three points. We would like to start on a positive note and at worst, get a point out of it.

“Based on our assessment of the group, we figure more or less that we will be able to come out of this group, but whatever transpires from there (Italy game), we will only get better.

“We have been using the local platform in a very effective way in terms of our preparation. It is not the ideal preparation. It does not make up for playing international games.

“If we were up against our age group in a competitive arena, that would give us a true reflection and assessment of the team because those games would be extremely competitive, especially against formidable opposition. That would give us a clearer and a better reflection of the team.”

The team is scheduled to leave the island on November 14. Their opening match against Italy is set for November 20 at the Aspire Zone Sports Complex in Doha, Qatar, with kick-off slated for 10 a.m. Jamaica time.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com