Reggae Boyz look to spice up preparation

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Jamaica's Caribbean friendly series culminates today when they play Grenada at 3:00 p.m.(local time) at the National Stadium in that country's capital, St George's.

The Reggae Boyz won the first game of the series 5-1 against St Vincent and the Grenadines last Tuesday then earned a late 1-1 draw against Trinidad and Tobago in Port-of-Spain on Saturday.

Today's game against the Spice Boys will be the final contest before the Reggae Boyz play The Bahamas next Sunday and Wednesday, as they kick off their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

"We want them to keep progressing," said technical director Ren? Simoes from St George's yesterday. "We have to reshape the team and keep on improving, that's why these games are so important."

The 3-5-2 formation

Simoes has said he will keep using the 3-5-2 formation and midfielder Omar Daley is expected to replace Oneil Thompson in the starting line-up from Saturday's game.

Defender Tyrone Marshall of Toronto FC in the US Major League Soccer (MLS) missed the first two games due to personal reasons, but joined the squad yesterday.

Grenada, ranked 143rd in the world, 45 places lower than Jamaica, are also preparing for the first leg of a tough World Cup qualifying game against Costa Rica on Saturday.

Captained by Anthony Modeste, who plays locally for National Premier League champions Portmore United, Grenada are well aware of what they are up against.

"Seeing Jamaica play recently against St Vincent and Trinidad, we know what they are capable of," said Grenada coach Norris Wilson, a former national player between 1975 and 1986.

"They are rugged and quick - which is similar to how we play - but they have a lot more professionals which will help them to sustain their concentration longer."

Grenada's most experienced players are striker Jason Roberts, who plays for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League and midfielder Shalrie Joseph of MLS team New England Revolution. Roberts has scored 12 goals in 25 appearances.

The bigger picture

Grenada are coming off a 10-0 goal fest against the US Virgin Islands in their first World Cup qualifying game on March 26. Since then they have lost 0-2 to Trinidad and drew 1-1 with an England 'C' team.

Wilson said he was clear about his game strategy against Jamaica as he is focusing on the bigger picture.

"We are going to play a tight defence to make it more difficult for Jamaica to get through," said Wilson.

"This game is really preparation for our game against Costa Rica. They have a lot of attacking flair, so we will use it as a practice game to shut out Costa Rica."

In four previous meetings to qualify for either the World Cup or the Gold Cup, Jamaica have won on every occasion, but Grenada defeated Jamaica in a friendly - 2-0 on August 1, 2001 in St George's.

This, said Simoes, is proof that no team can be taken lightly.

"Grenada have beaten Jamaica before, so it's not going to be easy. These games we are playing are tough," said the technical director.

The Reggae Boyz return home tomorrow.