Key absences open door for new players

THERE WERE a few high-profile names missing as Reggae Boyz head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson announced his 23-man squad for the Concacaf Nations League yesterday. Hallgrímsson, however, said that these absences will be an opportunity for new players to step up to the fore.

The Jamaican team is preparing for a ‘must-win’ game against the United States next week Thursday in the Nations League semi-finals. The top player missing from the squad is Aston Villa’s man of the moment Leon Bailey. Bailey has been in top form for his English Premier League club this season and was an expected name to lead the attacking lines for the Reggae Boyz.

However, Hallgrímsson explained that the winger, along with striker Trivante Stewart, were dropped from the squad due to internal disciplinary issues after breaking the team’s curfew in the previous camp.

“We, basically, have a lot of agreements between the staff and coaches and players, but we have only one rule: don’t leave the hotel after 10 p.m. These players did. They didn’t even sleep at the hotel, and they missed the bus the next morning.

“Both players took responsibility of their actions. They have apologised to us and the squad, and the apology is accepted. We all do mistakes in our lives, and for all of us the case is closed, and we will move on. We’ve decided they will not be selected for this camp and only this camp.”

Along with Bailey’s absence, Jamaica will also be without the attacking options of Demarai Gray and Shamar Nicholson for the semi-finals.

Gray will miss the semi-finals having picked up a red card in the quarterfinals against Canada while Nicholson picked up two yellow cards across both legs of the quarterfinals.

Both players, however, have been included in the squad with the hopes that they will feature should Jamaica advance to the final.

Hallgrímsson said while the team has lost its attacking threat, the absence of Bailey, Gray, and Nicholson is an opportunity for other players to make their mark on the team.

“We’re lacking the attacking threat that we’ve had in the games leading up to this one, so it will be a task for those who step in, the likes of Michail Antonio, to lead the attack. But having looked at the players that have the possibilities to play there, I’m pretty optimistic that they would bring something new and something exciting.

“It is better to look at it as an opportunity rather than something to make up for. I think some players will, for sure, be looking at the squad and saying, ‘Now it is my turn now to play. I’m going to step into these shoes and do good’. I hope that the players will grab this opportunity that they’ll have in this huge game.”

One of these players will be Bailey Cadamarteri. The 18-year-old striker at English Championship team Sheffield Wednesday will be hoping to make his international debut for Jamaica against the USA and has the confidence of Hallgrímsson, who described the teenager as a hard-working attacker”.

Jamaica will take on USA in Arlington, Texas, at the AT&T Stadium for a spot in the Nations League final.

Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Shaquan Davis, Jahmali Waite

Defenders: Richard King, Damion Lowe, Di’shon Bernard, Michael Hector, Dexter Lembikisa, Tayvon Gray, Greg Leigh

Midfielders: Daniel Johnson, Joel Latibeaudiere, Bobby Decordova-Reid, Karoy Anderson, Kasey Palmer, Renaldo Cephas

Forwards: Cory Burke, Bailey Cadamarteri, Demarai Gray, Shamar Nicholson, Michail Antonio, Jamal Lowe, Kaheim Dixon