‘I don’t believe in impossible’
Simoes calls on Reggae Girlz to envision advancing from tough World Cup group
Published:Thursday | July 13, 2023 | 12:07 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
RENE SIMOES, the mastermind of the Reggae Boyz’ successful 1998 World Cup qualification, has not only been impressed by what the senior men’s team is doing under coach Heimir Hallgrimsson.
The Brazilian is also pleased with the progress the Reggae Girlz have made since he was last here as coach, qualifying for back-to-back Women’s World Cup tournaments.
The Reggae Girlz face France, Brazil, and Panama at the group stage of the World Cup. However, Simoes does not want the Girlz to be satisfied with just qualifying for the biggest stage.
The Brazilian said nothing is impossible and that they must believe that they can advance from the first round for it to happen.
“They will play against Brazil. That will be wonderful to see,” Simoes said beaming. “Panama, Brazil, France, and Jamaica. It’s tough for Jamaica to qualify (second round) but not impossible. I don’t believe in impossible things. It always depends on you. Go there, believe in yourself, put the top (best) and you can do it.”
He recalled the 1998 Gold Cup when they faced guest team Brazil in their first match at the group stage, and then JFF president, the late Captain Horace Burrell, was worried about a heavy loss.
Simoes said that in contrast to Captain, he was more focused on winning the match and that his belief resonated through the team. Jamaica would go on to draw the game and top the group ahead of Brazil.
‘DO NOT LOSE’
“I remember we play Gold Cup and Captain came to me and said, ‘Simoes, make sure you do not lose by five or six.’ I said, ‘No Captain. We go to beat these guys’ and we qualified first place, and Brazil was second place.
“So that is the advice I give for the Girlz. Think you can beat Panama. Think you can qualify. That is the point. Don’t go there to say I am very happy because I am in the World Cup. No. That is not enough.
“Enough is to go there with the mentality, the mindset prepared to qualify for the next stage. I wish you all the best against France in the first game. Good luck! I share here my heart,” he declared.
He also called on the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to improve their relationship with the Girlz and to do their best to make them feel appreciated as the exposure they give the country cannot be quantified.
“I saw some complaints from the Girlz before the World Cup, and this cannot happen. The federation must be there. The business people must support because it is Jamaica.
“Around the world if want to make publicity for a country in tourism like Jamaica, to go abroad, it’s a lot of money.
“But when you send a team (to World Cup), the entire world talk about Jamaica without paying anything.
“I remember my time in 1998 when we finished the last game against Japan. The minister of tourism and other parties, we had a meeting and $800 million was the amount they had. They received in media, in marketing. It was almost a billion dollars.
“The Girlz in the World Cup, how much market Jamaica receive? If they (sponsors) give $100 million for them, they receive $200, $400 million instead.
“So football is a business, and if they understand the business like that, they would not make the Girlz upset and uncomfortable. They must give as much as possible.”