Simoes wants support for ‘good’ Hallgrimsson
Published:Wednesday | July 12, 2023 | 12:07 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA’S 1998 WORLD Cup-qualifying coach, René Simoes, is a big admirer of the work Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is doing with the current Reggae Boyz team at the Gold Cup tournament in the United States, and is calling on the Government, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), the business community and fans to support and empower him if they desire good results.
The Reggae Boyz have performed well at the Gold Cup, winning three and drawing one of four games to date.
They play regional kingpins, Mexico, in the semifinals today, and Simoes, who had some bruising confrontations with the Mexicans during his time in charge, believes the Boyz have a good chance of eliminating their more fancied opponent.
“I am very excited by what Jamaica is doing in the Gold Cup. What a team Jamaica has. We remember (1998), without a very experienced team like we have now, we reached the semifinals in that time and we lost to Mexico in the Azteca and now Jamaica has a chance to get back at Mexico and send them home and go for the final. I think we have a great team,” he told The Gleaner.
Simoes, who arrived in the island on Tuesday and will be honoured at the annual Porus Football Festival, said Hallgrimsson’s team is very different from the squad he coached to the World Cup 25 years ago.
However, he thinks the current team has the quality and experience to achieve things his team was not able to. But said the coach must be empowered to take them to the next level.
“I think the coach (Hallgrimsson) is doing very well. You have to empower him. Give him support. Give him everything he needs because he is good.
“When you don’t give power to the coach, you don’t get results because the players always look for coach,” he noted.
“Is this guy (coach) powerful. No. He is not powerful. How can he be powerful if the people don’t support him, if the federation don’t support him, if the Government don’t support him, if everything is not in place?” he commented.
He continued with the squad Jamaica possesses, he expects the team to secure one of the spots at the 2026 World Cup.
“This next World Cup, Jamaica must be there because Mexico, Canada and the United States they already qualify (as host). So the chance for Jamaica is high and with the team they have, I have no doubt that if Jamaica want to go to 2026 (World Cup), they can.”
Like Hallgrimsson, Simoes faced harsh criticism early in his tenure after some bad results, especially after the team toured Brazil and lost all but one game.
However, he believes that Hallgrimsson has a team capable of achieving great things and should get the support he desires to help the team reach its full potential.
“The first time we went to Brazil we played 18 games and we lost 17. But we learned and that is what’s good. The lessons you learn from adversity and tournaments gave chances for players to express their talents.
“His work is completely different because the majority of present players they play abroad. They have the FIFA dates and they have 10 days to join the players, build them and their minds, what they like to play, his philosophy.
“In my term, I had the entire team with me. I made the adopt-a-player to pay the players. We went to Brazil and 28 different countries and built a family. So there is a difference. This team has more exposure to difficulties, stronger opponents than my team had. But the coach is doing very well. You have to praise him and cheer for him to get Gold Cup because we (Jamaica) deserve it,” he said.
Simoes is in the island on invitation from former JFF president Crenston Boxhill and community activist Karam Persad and he thoroughly appreciates the courtesy and recognition afforded to him.
“I have a good gift, to be honoured in the Porus Football Festival. The final will be on the 16th, Sunday. We and many former national players will be here. I think it will be very good for Jamaicans.”