CELEBRATIONS are over for the Reggae Boyz following their impressive 4-2 win over rivals Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday last.
The Boyz remained in the twin-island republic for further training as they prepare for their first qualifying game for the 2002 World Cup to be held in Korea and Japan.
"The mood in the camp is great but the celebration is over from the Trinidad and Tobago game. The focus is now on for our first World Cup qualifying game on Sunday," assistant coach Peter Cargill told the team's base at the Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence.
"We think the team has been progressing steadily since the tour in Brazil and we did not panic because of the (poor) results. Since the arrival of Clovis de Oliveira, who has had some experience with the team before, made one or two small changes in positions the team is gelling a litle better and the chemistry seems to be there a little bit more," Cargill continued.
The most significant change according to Cargill was the switching of utility player Onandi Lowe from sweeper to striker which he said has paid rich dividends. Lowe has scored five goals in two matches since being pushed up front.
"Today we had two sessions. We will be working hard until Wednesday. From Thursday morning the graph will go down a down," Cargill further said.
In camp now are now 22 players following the arrival of the Miami Fusion pair Tyrone Marshall and Andy Williams as well as Deon Burton and goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence. Jamie Lawrence, the Bradford City midfielder who was due to join the camp on Sunday did not show up.
According to Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell, the colourful player who buried his father on Saturday in Manchester, was not going to be involved in Sunday's game and as a result was given permission to return home. While Jamie Lawrence has returned home, the could be boosted by the presence of Walter Boyd and Darren Moore who are expected to return to Trinidad and Tobago today.
Darren Moore was summoned by his club Portsmouth on Saturday following news of his axing from the team on Wednesday while Boyd flew to Wales for a medical with Sawnsea's physician over the weekend.
While the news regarding Boyd and Moore are good there are worries about defensive stalwarts Linval Dixon and Ian Goodison as well as utility player Christopher Dawes.
Nodley Wright
