Waite eager to see young Reggae Boyz execute
Published:Thursday | June 6, 2024 | 12:09 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
THE JEROME Waite-coached under-20 Reggae Boyz will depart the island today for a two-match assignment in Mexico as part of preparation for the upcoming Concacaf Under-20 Championships.
The young Reggae Boyz will lock horns against Guatemala on June 8 followed by a June 10 assignment against hosts Mexico.
According to Waite, while preparations have been going according to plan, he is eager to see how his charges execute.
“It went well, and the players responded well to the preparation, so I’m looking forward to see what they’re capable of doing at this level,” said Waite
The 2024 Concacaf Under-20 Championships will also be played in Mexico from July 19 to August 4.
The Reggae Boyz are drawn in Group A alongside the trio of Costa Rica, the United States, and Cuba. Waite believes that the two games should be a good test for the team, which will have to navigate playing against Concacaf giants, Mexico, Guatemala, who are notoriously tough, and at high altitude.
“It’s a good thing for these players to play in that atmosphere because the high altitude isn’t easy to play in. Also, it’s good for them to be playing against one of the best under-20 teams in the world in Mexico because they’re a team from Concacaf who are always consistent in their performances at the under-20 level,” said Waite.
Waite said the players are in good stead to give a good account of themselves, with the majority of the squad fresh out of competitive football.
“The players have responded in all aspects. Some have been playing from the schoolboy level while there are a few playing in the Jamaica Premier League. So they have been responding physically as well as technically and tactically,” he added.
The veteran coach said the assignment will be used as a marker to see the level his team is at. Waite is also keen to see how long the players will be able to keep their concentration, playing at high altitude.
“Results isn’t a factor. This is to see how the team applies themselves in this altitude. As a coach, you’ll know where the team is at, at this time, and with them going up against Mexico, it will be a gauge for them going forward. Based on what you want your team to do, you’ll be looking at the execution, how well they do it and for how long they concentrate.”