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Jamaica U-20s to intensify training ahead of qualifiers

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Jamaica's national Under-20 football coach, Dr Dean Weatherly, is hoping to get the go-ahead from Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss Crenston Boxhill for a planned six-week camp to prepare for the final round of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in Mexico from February 21-25.

WEATHERLY. leaving no stone unturned in quest to qualify

According to Dr Weatherly, they are looking to host the camp at Munro College in St Elizabeth and up to 75 per cent of the plans had been finalised with the head of the institution.

The young Reggae Boyz will qualify for their second Under-20 World Cup Finals if they finish in the top two of their final round group against Mexico, Costa Rica and St Kitts and Nevis.

Dr Weatherly said he is leaving no stone unturned in their quest to qualify, and this camp is aimed at getting the players to their optimum form so they can represent the nation with distinction.

"We are planning a six-week camp that will carry us straight into the tournament. We're still in the planning stages of it right now, so we're just trying to fine-tune some things to make it happen.

"But we're working at it assiduously because we hope to be in camp by next week straight through until the tournament," he said.

However, there is the issue of schooling, and this is the coach's major concern as he tries to get his plans organised.

"Those in school, we will have to find a school for them because the JFF has a policy when they take them out of school. But we need to put them into schools now for those who will be out of their geographical region.

"We're looking at Munro, but we're waiting on Mr Gayle (Branford, principal) to confirm. If not, we will have to go to plan B, as we have been planning to talk to the headmaster at Cornwall College, because there is a boarding facility there as well," he said.

"But we're in dialogue with Munro and it was about 75 per cent sure up to yesterday (Thursday).

"So when the weekend is out we will definitely know where we are going to be, because I will meet with Mr Boxhill and Mr Gibson (Burchell, JFF general secretary) over the weekend and work out these things," he added.

"But the best place is Munro because the games will be played at high altitude, in Mexico, so with Munro being somewhat a bit above sea level it would be good for the boys," he noted.

Also, there could be some resistance from the National Premier League (NPL) clubs, but Dr Weatherly said they will have to understand the importance of the camp.

"Some of the premier league clubs will be up in arms, but we just have to do what we have to and let them understand where we're coming from," he said.

The Village United coach said there is no room for failure and very little time to get the team ready to face such high quality opposition.

"With my experience, I can't just wait for the last two weeks, because I don't just want to be a bridesmaid, I have to be the bride sometimes," he said.

"I will have to deliver the goods and that is the mandate that has been given to me as a coach. We can't just go for going's sake, we have to make an impression.

"We have passed this stage twice - once with the Under-20s and once with the Under-17s - and we need to go there and qualify, not just participate," he stressed.

However, some of the players are yet to fully comprehend the demands of international football and Dr Weatherly believes the camp could eliminate a lot of those inefficiencies. He said the team will also require at least four international practice matches, among others, to be fully ready for the tournament.

"The first Under-17 team that qualified... we played almost 50-odd internationals. The Under-20s played that amount and more because some of them came across from the Under-17 teams.

"But we cannot afford to go there and fall short, we have to go and give a good showing. we have to make a statement," he insisted.

The USA, hosts Panama, Haiti and Guatemala will contest the other group from January 17-21, and Dr Weatherly hopes to get games against those teams.

The squad has been trimmed to 24 players and includes four goalkeepers.

"We have a good set of boys and we have now narrowed the team down to 24 players.. This is my first time at the helm and I'm a champion so I can't see myself coming to fail.

"I have to give my best. If we are outplayed by better talent then I will not complain, but we'll not be falling short because of lack of proper preparation, which is what I am trying to avoid," he said.