Reggaeboyz Web

[rbadmin]

Downswell pleased with Boyz' display

Sean Williams
Thursday, April 13, 2006


Jamaica's head coach Wendell Downswell has expressed satisfaction with
the gutsy performance from his charges, following their spirited 1-1 tie
against the USA at the SAS Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, on
Tuesday night.

The technical director, who returned home with the locally-based players
in the squad yesterday, was especially pleased with the defence that kept
the marauding Americans at bay for the most part.

Jamaica took the lead in the fourth minute in front of a partisan home
crowd of 8,090 when Teofore Bennett squeezed the ball past veteran
goalkeeper Tony Meola, who was celebrating his 100th cap for the US
national team.

But from a wave of sustained pressure, the homeside levelled the score
through midfielder Ben Olsen, who shot low beneath the frame of
Jamaica's goalie Donovan Ricketts in the 25th.

"I was very pleased with the result knowing that we only had one session
with these players before the game. and as you know some of these
players were either making their first appearance at this level or they
have been out for some time," said Downswell shortly after he and the
local-based members of the team landed at the Norman Manley
International Airport yesterday.

Other members of the squad based in the USA and England flew straight
to their respective clubs.

Downswell noted that the game was also important for Jamaica in the
selection process of deciding on a squad for the upcoming England
friendly in that country on June 3 and preparation for the 2010 World Cup
in South Africa.

"This was an opportunity to look at some other players as we go forward.
the experience was good for the team and for some of the players," he
said.

Downswell, who succeeded Carl Brown at the helm of the national football
programme, said he was particularly impressed with Real Salt Lake's new
pick Ryan Johnson, who was making his debut for Jamaica.

"I believe that Ryan (Johnson) equipped himself well and is a promising
young forward. Also Demar (Stewart) did well after going into the game
early in place of Claude (Davis) and there again is another bright
prospect," he said.

"The future looks bright from where I am standing and so as long as we
can continue to find these youngsters to compete at the international level
then I believe that we will be in a good position as we look ahead,"
Downswell added.

The Boyz' next confirmed game will be against England on June 3 at Old
Trafford in Manchester, although the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is
in advanced negotiations with African side Ghana for a possible match in
the United Kingdom on May 29.