‘A big coup’

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.

STRONG ATTACKING OPTIONS

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

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