Golden opportunity - Local players look to make most of Reggae Boyz chance
Published:Friday | November 6, 2020 | 12:13 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Although local football has yet to return, national players Lamar Walker and Kemal Malcolm are relishing the opportunity to represent Jamaica in upcoming international friendlies after eight months of inactivity.
The two are among the five local players who have been included in the 23-member Reggae Boyz squad for the November 14 and 17 matches against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, which will be the first time that the senior men’s team will assemble and play together since March. The other players are Dennis Taylor (Humble Lion), Jashaun Anglin (Harbour View), and Ricardo Morris (Portmore United).
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the reshuffling of the football calendar with the previous National Premier League season being suspended and ultimately cancelled. It also forced the postponement of the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying until next June.
The local players are currently at the University of the West Indies/Jamaica Football Federation/Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence, where they have entered into camp in preparation for the two matches.
GRATEFUL FOR THE CALL-UP
Walker, who plays for champions Portmore United, says he is grateful for the call-up despite the challenges that the previous international break presented to players with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal contracting the virus while on international duty.
“I’m willing to play for my country at any time,” Walker told The Gleaner. “It’s a great feeling to be back in the colours playing for my country.”
Overseas-based players from the United States and Europe comprise the majority of the team, a fact that is not lost on Malcolm, who plays for Arnett Gardens. He says that he hopes that he can leave an impression that will result in him being part of the plans for next year, which include the final round of World Cup qualifiers and the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup tournament.
“I can’t just be happy. My aim is to just go out there and do my best to impress the coaching staff to see if I can cement myself in the team,” Malcolm said. “It’s a good feeling to go out there with them and try to showcase my talent.”
All five players will be administered COVID-19 tests today and are scheduled to leave the island tomorrow to begin their journey to Saudi Arabia. The majority of the delegation from Jamaica and Europe is expected to arrive in Riyadh on Monday and will go into immediate quarantine at the Holiday Inn Izdihar Hotel for three days as per the health protocols that have been agreed by both federations.
Both fixtures will be played behind closed doors.