BARBADOS’ football quest for redemption begins today at the National Stadium when a fledgling brigade go to battle against regional powerhouses Jamaica at 8:30 p.m.
With the Caribbean Football Union’s Caribbean Championships slated for later this year and more importantly the FIFA World Cup in 2018, coach Colin “Potato” Forde has selected some fresh, young faces to accompany some seasoned players such as Romelle Burgess, Jason Boxhill, Ramuel Millar and skipper Jeffrey Williams, who have a total of 76 caps between them.
These experienced players will be tasked with the responsibility of guiding seven senior team debutants.
Five players from the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP), defenders Zico Phillips, Akeem Browne and Teriq Highland; gifted midfielder Romario Harewood and free-scoring forward Chai Lloyd will be having their first taste of international football.
The other “new kids on the block” are Under-20 teammates Ramar Millar and Renaldo Bailey.
Jamaica, ranked 88 places higher than Barbados in the FIFA rankings, will also feature some fresh faces with coach Winifried Schaefer opting to select a team with an average age of 22 years.
There will be 11 players from the domestic Red Stripe Premier League and a highly skilled contingent from the on-break Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. Vancouver Whitecaps speedy front man Darren Mattocks will be expected to lead the attack for the Reggae Boyz, along with 17-year-old prodigy Michael Seaton.
Seaton represents Eastern Conference holders DC United and recently had a training stint at Inter Milan in Italy.
Deshorn Brown, another forward of Colorado Rapids possesses some torrid pace but is more known for his strength in the air.
It is likely that Barbados’ coach will opt for the lanky Zico Phillips to nullify Jamaica’s aerial threat and partner him with the pace and aggression of midfielder-turned defender Burgess, who reads the game well at the back.
Debutant Browne has a tremendous amount of pace and utilises his aggression well. Whether the coaching staff opt for defensive qualities or distribution, there will be a toss up between Ramuel Miller, Highland and Andre Bourne of Paradise.
With no genuine “destroyer” in midfield, Barbados must dominate possession and cherish it as Jamaica has travelled with a number of skilful midfielders to feed their forwards.
Ricardo Morris of Portmore F.C has the talent to unlock defences with his dribbling ability and quality of passing.
He will be joined in midfield by Harbour View’s goal-scoring midfielder John-Ross Edwards and the hard working Waterhouse FC’s pair of Nicholy Finlayson and Hughan Gray.
Skipper Williams, probably the most defensive minded of the midfielders selected, will have his work cut out and will need key players such as Raheim Sargeant, Carl Joseph and Harewood to put in a busy shift to limit the room the Reggae Boyz have in midfield and in turn utilise transition quickly and effectively to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Mario Harte, at just 25 years old, will have to show the worth of his 26 caps as he will be given the responsibility of leading a rather inexperienced frontline.
Last year’s leading scorer in the Premiership Jabarry “Papi” Chandler will be relishing the opportunity to showcase his talents on the big stage and more importantly doing so with his brother Jamal Chandler, another BDFSP selectee.
Diquan Adamson has always been spoken of a player with potential and will need to show his mettle against a Jamaica team that has been very generous in allowing goals of late.
Former Toronto F.C. defender Dicoy Williams will marshal the Reggae Boyz’s defence and probably pair up with Portland Timbers defender Alvas Powell.
The major spark in their defence will be roving wing back Kemar Lawrence of Harbour View, who is also a member of the Olympic Qualifiers squad and a household name in Jamaica.
