Jamaica national football team

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Jamaica
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) The Reggae Boyz
Association Jamaica Football Federation
Confederation CONCACAF (North America)
Head coach Flag of Brazil Renê Simões
Asst coach Flag of Jamaica Theodore Whitmore
Captain Ricardo Gardner
Most caps Durrant Brown (107)
Top scorer Theodore Whitmore (24)
Home stadium Independence Park
FIFA code JAM
FIFA ranking 98
Highest FIFA ranking 27 (August 1998)
Lowest FIFA ranking 105 (May 2008)
Elo ranking 69
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
First kit
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
Second kit
First international
Flag of Haiti Haiti 1 - 2 Jamaica Flag of Jamaica
(Haiti; March 9, 1925)
Biggest win
Flag of Jamaica Jamaica 12 - 0 BVI Flag of the British Virgin Islands
(Grand Cayman, Cayman Isls.; March 4, 1994)
Flag of Jamaica Jamaica 12 - 0 Saint-Martin Flag of Saint Martin (France)
(Kingston, Jamaica; November 24, 2004)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Costa Rica Costa Rica 9 - 0 Jamaica Flag of Jamaica
(San José, Costa Rica; February 24, 1999)
World Cup
Appearances 1 (First in 1998)
Best result Round 1, 1998
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Appearances 6 (First in 1991)
Best result Third place shared, 1993

The Jamaica national football team, or The Reggae Boyz, is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Jamaica have won the Caribbean Cup three times: in 1991, 1998, and 2005, finished second twice and have come third twice.

Recently the squad has struggled, leading some Jamaicans to dub them The Reggae Toyz. The team did not make it past the first stage of 2007 Caribbean Cup qualifying despite hosting the round, meaning Jamaica would not be in the Gold Cup.

However, with the return of former coach Rene Simoes. There have been heavy optimism in the Reggae Boyz camps. Especially after impressive victories over El Salvador and Guatemala in the latter part of 2007. Many believe they have a shot at actually making a return to the World Cup in 2010. Also many players have come back to the national programme such as Marlon King, Ian Goodison, Deon Burton, and Donavon Ricketts.

Contents

[edit] History

Jamaica's first international appearance was against their Caribbean neighbors Haiti in 1925. They were invited to the French-speaking Caribbean island by Andre Chevalon, president of the then United Sporting Society and it was for a three-match series between the 2 countries. Jamaica won all three games by 1-0, 2-1 and 3-0. The following year Jamaica hosted their Haitians counterparts at Sabina Park and won by 6-0. The Haitians remained frequent opponents and it was not until 1932 that their run of defeats was broken with a 4-1 home win in Port-au-Prince.

Between 1925 and when Jamaica gained it's independence 1962, Jamaica had regular games with Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Cuba and clubs like Racing and Violette from Haiti, Corinthians of Britain, the Tigers from Argentina, and even a series of matches with a Caribbean ALL Stars team in 1952. The Caribbean All Star team included such notables as Michael (The Ruin) Kruin from Suriname and also representing Jamaica were Lindy Delapenha and Gillie Heron. The four games were shared equally with Jamaica winning the second 2-1 and the fourth 1-0 and the All Stars winning the first 5-1 and the third 1-O.

Those friendly international games were the start of Jamaica's football journey with most of the home matches being played at Sabina Park. Many clubs were established during this time including Kensington, Melbourne, Kingston, Lucas and St. George's Old Boys, thus providing the talent Jamaica needed at the time.

In 1965 under the leadership of Brazilian coach Jorge Penna, Jamaica made its first attempt at World Cup qualifying. This was for the 1966 World Cup finals in England. The preliminary group included Cuba, the Netherlands Antilles, and Jamaica. Jamaica's first game was against Cuba which they won 2-0 at Jamaica's National Stadium. In the qualifying match against the Netherlands Antilles, Jamaica also had a 2-0 victory with both goals coming. In the away games Jamaica was held to a goaless draw with the Netherlands Antilles and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cuba. Jamaica then advanced to the final group of 3 which included Costa Rica and Mexico. The winner in this group would represent the CONCACAF region. Jamaica lost at home to Mexico 3-2 and in the return leg in Mexico City the high altitude proved to much for the Jamaicans and they were defeated 8-0. Jamaica lost 7-0 to Costa Rica in their first encounter and had a 1-1 tie when they played at home.

In 1968 coach George Hamilton took leadership as Jamaica made an attempt to qualify for the 1970 World Cup Finals in Mexico. Jamaica had only a couple remaining players from the previous World Cup team and had to rebuild because most of the players had retired or migrated to North America and England. Jamaica lost all of their qualifying games in that year. Jamaica's participation in the 1974 World Cup elimination saw the suspension of 17 players on the team because of poor behavior on a tour to Bermuda. Jamaica withdrew from the elimination in order to restructure their team.


The 1978 Word Cup in Argentina saw Jamaica playing Cuba and losing 3-1 at the National Stadium and then 2-0 in Havana Cuba. Jamaica did not qualify.

In 1982 Jamaica did not make an attempt for the World Cup Final set in Spain due to insufficient funds and a poorly prepared team. Jamaica did not participate in the 1986 World Cup because suspension for affiliation fees that was due to FIFA. In preparation for the 1990 World Cup with coach Jeffery Maxwell Jamaica won both preliminary games against Puerto Rico 1-0 in Jamaica and 2-0 at Puerto Rico. The U,S, were the next opponents and was held to a goaless draw. The return leg in the U.S. saw Jamaica losing 5-1 brining an end to their qualifying attempt. The United States hosted the World Cup 1994. In qualifying Jamaica beat Puerto Rico 2-1 and was then faced Bermuda, Canada, and El Salvador from which two teams would advance to the final round. Jamaica tied 1-1 with Canada and Bermuda and then lost 2-0 to El Salvador, 1-0 to Canada, 2-1 to El Salvador. Jamaica then beat Bermuda 3-2 but did not qualify.

Under Brazilian Professor Rene Simones and National coach Carl Brown, the Jamaican team has become a "Powerhouse" in the Caribbean region and received "Best Mover" award by FIFA in 1996. Their ranking continues to change as they get closer to the finals on their road to France. [1]

In 2007, the team won the silver medal at the 2007 Panamerican Games that was played in the brazilian city Rio de Janeiro. The striker Kemmar Daley was the top scorer (together with the mexican player Enrique Esqueda) with four (4) goals.

[edit] Stadium

The team plays their games at The National Stadium, known locally as The Office, which is located in Kingston. The stadium opened in 1962 and holds 40,000 people.

[edit] Kits

The team is currently equipped by Uhlsport a German apparel company. The home kit is a yellow shirt, black shorts, and green socks. The away is a green, yellow, and green set. There is also a black shirt, but has yet to be worn as yet. The team has had this set since 2005.

[edit] Honours

1991, 1998, 2005

[edit] World Cup record

  • 1930 to 1962 - Did not enter (as until 1962, named British Jamaica)
  • 1966 - Did not qualify
  • 1970 - Did not qualify
  • 1974 - Withdrew from qualification
  • 1978 - Did not qualify
  • 1982 - Did not enter
  • 1986 - Withdrew in qualification semi finals
  • 1990 - Did not qualify
  • 1994 - Did not qualify
  • 1998 - Round 1
  • 2002 - Did not qualify
  • 2006 - Did not qualify

[edit] Gold Cup record

  • 1991 - Round 1
  • 1993 - Third place shared
  • 1996 - Did not qualify
  • 1998 - Fourth place
  • 2000 - Round 1
  • 2002 - Did not qualify
  • 2003 - Quarterfinals
  • 2005 - Quarterfinals
  • 2007 - Did not qualify

[edit] Caribbean Cup record

[edit] Panamerican Games Record


[edit] Current squad

The following players were called for the friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago on March 26, 2008.

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club
GK Shawn Sawyers Flag of Jamaica
GK Donovan Ricketts June 7, 1977 Flag of England Bradford City
DF O'neil Thompson August 11, 1983 Flag of Norway Notodden
DF Simon Ford November 17, 1981 Flag of Scotland Kilmarnock
DF Demar Stewart December 15, 1984 4 0 Flag of the People's Republic of China Chengdu Blades
DF Christopher Jackson September 25, 1981 Flag of Jamaica Tivoli Gardens
DF Adrian Reid March 10, 1985 Flag of Jamaica Portmore United
DF Tyrone Marshall November 12, 1974 59 2 Flag of Canada Toronto FC
DF Obrian Woodbine Flag of Jamaica Reno
MF Khari Stephenson January 18, 1981 Flag of Sweden AIK Solna
MF Wolry Wolfe August 12, 1981 Flag of Jamaica Portmore United
MF Demar Phillips September 23, 1983 Flag of England Stoke City
MF Omar Daley April 25, 1981 Flag of England Bradford City
MF Rudolph Austin June 1, 1985 Flag of Jamaica Portmore United
MF Ricardo Cousins 1 0 Flag of Jamaica Portmore United
FW Marlon King April 26, 1980 Flag of England Wigan Athletic
FW Deon Burton October 25, 1976 Flag of England Sheffield Wednesday
FW Luton Shelton November 11, 1985 Flag of England Sheffield United
FW James Thomas Flag of Jamaica Portmore United


[edit] Recent Call Ups 2008

The following players have also been called up to the Jamaica squad.

Goalkeepers
Name Date of birth Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up
Dwayne Miller July 14, 1987 Flag of Jamaica Harbour View  ? (?) v. Costa Rica, 6 February 2008
Defenders
Name Date of birth Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up
Ian Goodison November 21, 1972 Flag of England Tranmere Rovers  ? (?) v. Costa Rica, 6 February 2008
Damion Stewart August 8, 1980 Flag of England Queens Park Rangers  ? (?) v. Costa Rica, 6 February 2008
Ricardo Gardner September 25, 1978 Flag of England Bolton Wanderers  ? (?) v. Costa Rica, 6 February 2008
Midfielders
Name Date of birth Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up
Jason Morrison June 7, 1984 Flag of Belgium White Star Woluwé  ? (?) v. Costa Rica, 6 February 2008
Jamal Campbell-Ryce April 6, 1983 Flag of England Barnsley  ? (?) v. Costa Rica, 6 February 2008
Strikers
Name Date of birth Club Caps (goals) Most Recent Call up
Ricardo Fuller October 31, 1979 Flag of England Stoke City  ? (?) v. Costa Rica, 6 February 2008
Roen Nelson April 8, 1980 Flag of Jamaica Portmore United 1 (0) v. Costa Rica, 6 February 2008

[edit] Notable Former Players

[edit] Goalkeepers

[edit] Defenders

[edit] Midfielders

[edit] Strikers

[edit] Results & Upcoming Fixtures

Matches since 2007, as well as any future scheduled matches

Date Opposition Result Score Jamaican Scorers Opposition Scorers Competition Host/Venue
March 22, 2007 Flag of Switzerland Switzerland L 0-2 - Marco Streller, Philipp Degen Friendly Flag of the United States Ft. Lauderdale
March 26, 2007 Flag of Panama Panama D 1-1 Luton Shelton - Friendly Flag of Jamaica Kingston
June 5, 2007 Flag of Chile Chile L 0-1 - Juan Gonzalo Lorca Friendly Flag of Jamaica Kingston
June 21, 2007 Flag of Indonesia Indonesia L 1-2 Wolry Wolfe Bambang Pamungkas (2) Friendly Flag of Indonesia Jakarta
June 24, 2007 Flag of Vietnam Vietnam L 0-3 - Le Cong Vinh, Duc Duong, Anh Duc Friendly Flag of Vietnam Hanoi
June 28, 2007 Flag of Malaysia Malaysia W 2-0 Wolry Wolfe - Friendly Flag of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
July 2, 2007 Flag of Iran Iran L 1-8 Fabian Taylor Javad Nekounam (2), M. Madanchi (2), Vahid Hashemian, Rasoul Khatibi (2), Reza Enayati Friendly Flag of Iran Tehran
November 18, 2007 Flag of El Salvador El Salvador W 3-0 Rudolph Austin, Ricardo Gardner (2) - Friendly Flag of Jamaica Kingston
November 21, 2007 Flag of Guatemala Guatemala W 2-0 Ricardo Fuller, Omar Daley - Friendly Flag of Jamaica Kingston
February 6, 2008 Flag of Costa Rica Costa Rica D 1-1 Tyrone Marshall William Sunsing Friendly Flag of Jamaica Kingston
March 26, 2008 Flag of Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago D 2-2 Marlon King, Tyrone Marshall Osei Telesford, Aurtis Whitley Friendly Flag of Jamaica Kingston
June 3, 2008 Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines W 5-1 Demar Phillips, Marlon King (2), Deon Burton, Ricardo Gardner Marlon James Friendly Flag of Jamaica Kingston
June 7, 2008 Flag of Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago D 1-1 Luton Shelton Khaleem Hyland Friendly Flag of Trinidad and Tobago Tunapuna
June 10, 2008 Flag of Grenada Grenada L 1-2 - Shalrie Joseph, Jason Roberts Friendly Flag of Grenada St. George
June 15, 2008 Flag of the Bahamas Bahamas - - - - FIFA WCQ 2010 Flag of Jamaica Kingston
June 18, 2008 Flag of the Bahamas Bahamas - - - - FIFA WCQ 2010 Flag of Jamaica Trelawny

[edit] External links