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Jamaica’s chances of advancing to their second Under-20 World Cup could be jeopardized by the spate of injuries to a number of key members as they fine tune their preparations for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) stage of the World Cup qualifiers.
“We have played five international matches and we have not conceded a goal. Our chances of qualifying for the Under-20 World cup in Egypt are real but recently I have not been able to play a practice match with a possible starting eleven,” coach of the team Donovan Duckie lamented, before adding, “we have to decide what we want”.
The Junior Reggae Boyz are set to depart for Aruba on November 18 and remain there for two group qualifiers against Antigua and Barbuda on November 20 before facing the host country two days later. Successfully navigating these matches would guarantee the team a place in the Concacaf final round of qualifying.
While the matches in Aruba may be considered automatic wins by some, coach Donovan Duckie is worried that injuries could rob him of the availability of key players.
“Right now a number of our key players such as midfielder John-Ross Doyley of Glenmuir and Portmore (knee), midfielder Marvin Boothe of Glenmuir and Portmore (ankle), Reno midfielder Davion Thorpe (groin), forward Alanzo Adlam of Sporting Central (groin), forward Andre Clennon of Waterhouse (Groin) and defender Levaughn Williams of Lennon and sporting central (knee) are nursing troublesome injuries,” Duckie said.
“Most of the other players have minor injuries and with the competitive nature of the season and the different competitions that these participate in the situation could get far worse and escalate into major injuries,” he continued.
With that being the situation Duckie said he has been trying his best to preserve the playing when they get into camp but while he is doing that a different situation exists when they go back to their respective schools and or clubs.
“When the players come to camp we have to be doing rehabilitative work. A lot of time is spent with them at the physio, the doctor and so forth. We are wrapping them in cotton wool but as soon as they leave camp they get right back into action. This cannot be good right now as it could be too late to make any changes,” Duckie explained
“I give you an example. We had a player in camp for two weeks doing physio work, resting him and treating him because we want him to be ready and to be of service to the national team. Today his coach called and thanked me for the work done with him as he has an important game next week. They are looking forward to him playing in the next fixtures,” Duckie added with a frustrated chuckle.
“Unless these players are pulled immediately from active school and club competitions leading into the final preparation stretch for the qualifying tournament in 18 days time, we may be in serious trouble with our qualification. The national team must be the priority. We must put country first,” the coach added.
“We have played five international matches and we have not conceded a goal. Our chances of qualifying for the Under-20 World cup in Egypt are real but recently I have not been able to play a practice match with a possible starting eleven,” coach of the team Donovan Duckie lamented, before adding, “we have to decide what we want”.
The Junior Reggae Boyz are set to depart for Aruba on November 18 and remain there for two group qualifiers against Antigua and Barbuda on November 20 before facing the host country two days later. Successfully navigating these matches would guarantee the team a place in the Concacaf final round of qualifying.
While the matches in Aruba may be considered automatic wins by some, coach Donovan Duckie is worried that injuries could rob him of the availability of key players.
“Right now a number of our key players such as midfielder John-Ross Doyley of Glenmuir and Portmore (knee), midfielder Marvin Boothe of Glenmuir and Portmore (ankle), Reno midfielder Davion Thorpe (groin), forward Alanzo Adlam of Sporting Central (groin), forward Andre Clennon of Waterhouse (Groin) and defender Levaughn Williams of Lennon and sporting central (knee) are nursing troublesome injuries,” Duckie said.
“Most of the other players have minor injuries and with the competitive nature of the season and the different competitions that these participate in the situation could get far worse and escalate into major injuries,” he continued.
With that being the situation Duckie said he has been trying his best to preserve the playing when they get into camp but while he is doing that a different situation exists when they go back to their respective schools and or clubs.
“When the players come to camp we have to be doing rehabilitative work. A lot of time is spent with them at the physio, the doctor and so forth. We are wrapping them in cotton wool but as soon as they leave camp they get right back into action. This cannot be good right now as it could be too late to make any changes,” Duckie explained
“I give you an example. We had a player in camp for two weeks doing physio work, resting him and treating him because we want him to be ready and to be of service to the national team. Today his coach called and thanked me for the work done with him as he has an important game next week. They are looking forward to him playing in the next fixtures,” Duckie added with a frustrated chuckle.
“Unless these players are pulled immediately from active school and club competitions leading into the final preparation stretch for the qualifying tournament in 18 days time, we may be in serious trouble with our qualification. The national team must be the priority. We must put country first,” the coach added.
