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Simoes fires warning to overseas-based pros
Sean Williams (Jamaica Observer)
Tuesday, March 04, 2008


RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil
Technical director of Jamaica's football, Brazilian Rene Simoes, has fired a warning to overseas-based Jamaica
professionals not to take their status with the national set-up for granted.

Simoes, on his second stint in charge of the national football programme, said players based in foreign lands
should be prepared to work hard to keep their places as the Reggae Boyz embark on their 2010 South Africa
World Cup qualifying campaign.

"I have to spread the message to the foreign-based players, that if they are not willing to play their part to
go to 2010 then you are out of the programme," the Brazilian said Sunday from the team's base in Caxias-Xerem,
just about 25 miles outside the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Simoes' comments came in the wake of an impressive performance by a home-based team that defeated
second division Tigers of Brazil of the Rio de Janeiro State Cup 1-0 on Saturday.

"I am very impressed with the local players. For example (Adrian) Reid, our central defender. The game
he played yesterday (Saturday) was impressive and he reminds of a very slim central defender who played
for the Brazilian national team in the 1960s. Reid is a good player," Simoes said.

He singled out praise for midfielder Rudolph Austin, striker Keammar Daley and right-back Oraine Simpson.

"Even though he is very short (Keammar) Daley, he had the better of very tall defender who couldn't take the ball
from him. Also (Oraine) Simpson was good," said Simoes, who has the home-based group here for a three-week
training camp.

In the game against the Tigers, Jamaica dominated the contest of the state's Division Two leaders and after a
series of missed opportunities, Newton Sterling found the winner in the 90th minute from a well-worked goal.

The Brazilian paid tribute to the local leagues in Jamaica, especially the Cash Plus Premier League, for facilitating
the emergence of these so-called home-based players.

"The local league in Jamaica is very special and corporate Jamaica should sponsor local leagues because if they do,
they will be indirectly sponsoring the national programme. The money they put there (local leagues) is money
they are putting in the national teams," Simoes said from the team base camp Sunday.

Simoes said he is determined to see as many of the local talent on his quest to find a group to possibly
complement the foreign-based cadre of players as CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers for South Africa 2010 draws closer.

Jamaica will open their account in the second round against either The Bahamas or the British Virgin Islands
on June 14.