Former national player Alex Thomas and former national under 17 coach Davion Ferguson say that the addition of West Ham striker Michail Antonio to Jamaica’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers is a boost for the national programme and the team’s campaign.
Antonio, 31, is part of the 35-man roster that was released yesterday for the first three games against Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica, with the Reggae Boyz qualifying journey set to begin in two days in Mexico City.
Following Antonio’s declaration to represent the Reggae Boyz in March, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts confirmed recently that Antonio had acquired the necessary paperwork to play for Jamaica.
Thomas says that given Antonio’s performances to start the English Premier League season, he is excited at the prospect of him displaying the same form in Jamaican colours.
“It’s a big plus for the national team,” Thomas told The Gleaner. “Michail will bring goals, he will bring his experience and his professionalism to the national team and he can take them to the next level.
“He is bringing West Ham on his back and hopefully he can make that transition for the national team.”
So far Antonio has scored four goals in his first three games for West Ham this season and they are in second place with seven points.
Ferguson says Antonio now gives senior men’s head coach Theodore Whitmore strong attacking options.
“Having Michail Antonio is a big coup,” Ferguson said. “We know what he is capable of and we have seen it week in and week out for those who watch the Premier League. That is a big capture. For me, Jamaica is now stacked offensively in the centre forward position. It’s the coach’s job to see how he can best satisfy the players, keep the team morale going and put a squad out there that will be very competitive.”
Twelve of the 16 England-based players that have been called up will not be available for the Mexico game on Thursday but can play against Panama on Sunday at the National Stadium.
The JFF considered the possibility of not having the England-based players because of the restrictions on travel by the United Kingdom, as well as Premier League clubs earlier deciding not to release their players for games in red list countries (Mexico and Costa Rica are included), a stance that since yesterday has been relaxed.
Ferguson said that given the circumstances, the compromise was an acceptable outcome.
“For the technical staff to pivot and to come with this squad and the starters that they employed, credit must be given to them. It’s not easy in terms of going to the Azteca (Stadium to play a Mexico in your first World Cup qualifying game and hearing that you don’t have the luxury of your best players. But the show must go on.”
Sources have told The Gleaner that eight of the England-based players and assistant coach Paul Hall arrived yesterday but Antonio and Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey were not among them.
JFF General Secretary Dalton Wint said that they expect Antonio to arrive in Jamaica shortly, while Bailey may not make it because of an injury.
The JFF says the majority of the squad and the coaching staff for the Mexico game will leave the island via a charter flight today at 1 p.m.
daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com [3]
Full Roster
Andre Blake* - Philadelphia Union
Dillion Barnes* - Queens Park Rangers
Dennis Taylor* - Humble Lion
Ethan Pinnock - Brentford FC
Damion Lowe* - Al Ittihad
Adrian Mariappa* - Free Agent
Liam Moore - Reading FC
Alvas Powell* - Philadelphia Union
Wesley Harding - Rotterham United
Kemar Lawrence* - Toronto FC
Amari’i Bell - Luton Town
Ravel Morrison - Derby County
Daniel Johnson - Preston North End
Devon Williams* - Miami FC
Kevin Stewart - Blackpool FC
Bobby Reid - Fulham FC
Junior Flemmings* - Birmingham Legion
Leon Bailey - Aston Villa
Jamal Lowe - Swansea City
Michail Antonio - West Ham United
Kemar Roofe - Rangers
Cory Burke* - Philadelphia Union
Shamar Nicholson* - RSC Charleroi
Oniel Fisher* - LA Galaxy
Blair Turgott* - Ostersunds
Norman Campbell* - FK Cukaricki,
Ricardo Morris* - Portmore United
Anthony Grant* - Swindon Town
Tyreek Magee* - Eupen
Lamar Walker* - Miami FC
Peter Lee Vassell* - Indy Eleven
Javon East* - Santos de Guapiles
Romario Williams* - Qadsia SC,
Javain Brown* - Vancouver Whitecaps
Richard King* - Cavalier SC
*Available for Mexico game on Thursday