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Testing time for Jamaica coach Whitmore



Theodore Whitmore
Neil-Monticelli Harley-Rüdd
Neil-Monticelli Harley-Rüdd



Theodore Whitmore has seen the goal posts move constantly ever since it was announced that his Reggae Boyz would tackle Saudi Arabia in back-to-back friendlies.

The Jamaica head coach has had to hurdle plenty of obstacles in preparation for the matches, which kick-off on Saturday (November 14, 11.30 a.m. Jamaican time) and conclude next Tuesday.

But are Whitmore’s troops fully prepared for battle against the FIFA world no. 67 side, ranked 19 places below the Boyz, at the imposing Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium in Riyadh?

Since Whitmore named an attack-minded 24-strong squad for the trek to western Asia, he lost a trio of players – one seeking to sign for a new club and two side-lined by coronavirus.

Veteran centre back Adrian Mariappa remained in England to sort out a new team after being discarded by Watford, and today (November 11) signed for ambitious Championship outfit Bristol City. Forward Chavany Willis, on loan from Portmore United at Pennsylvania-based Philadelphia Union II in the USL Championship, was his replacement.

Defender Alvas Powell and Humble Lions FC’s goalkeeper Dennis Taylor were unable to travel because of risks associated with coronavirus, and have been replaced by Kingston-born duo of midfielder Tyreek Magee (Eupen, Belgium) and shotstopper Jeadine White.

Powell, based in the United States, could not join the Boyz because one of his team-mates at his Inter Miami FC club, tested positive for COVID-19 and the 26-year-old was deemed a health risk.

Cavalier FC’s White, who has made two appearances for the Boyz since his 2018 international debut as an 18-year-old, stepped in as a like for like swap for 30-year-old Taylor who tested positive for the virus.

Taylor, one of five island-based players who quarantined at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence in Kingston prior to departure, got told of his positive test while en route to Saudi Arabia from Kingston. He has been ordered to isolate in London before returning to Jamaica.  

Whitmore has half-a-dozen key players still absent, with their arrival due within the next 36 hours – leaving little time to tackle compulsory quarantine or to receive coronavirus results from local health authorities.

Stringent regulations in place in Saudi Arabia, severely limits Whitmore’s plans for the opening encounter. Until these late arrivals have returned negative results they will not even be permitted to engage in training sessions.

The six players yet to arrive are: Leon Bailey (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany), Bobby Decordova-Reid (Fulham, England), Javon East (Santos, Costa Rica), Oniel Fisher (DC United, USA), Michael Hector (Fulham, England) and White.

Those players who arrived earlier this week will undertake COVID-19 tests today, with Whitmore and his technical team hoping that there will be no more spanners thrown into the works ahead of just two training sessions before Saturday’s contest.

The Boyz registered a highly respectable 2019 record of eight victories, a trio of draws and three defeats. Yet Jamaica became heavily reliant on Belgium-based striker Shamar Nicholson, their shining star in front of goal, who ended last year with seven strikes to finish top scorer. Whitmore has recognised this flaw, so has shuffled his pack to bolster the attacking options from midfield and upfront.

Saudi Arabia, who have yet to play competitively this year, breezed past the Boyz with an emphatic 5-2 home success when they met three years ago. The hosts rely on a solid passing game with skilful players throughout their squad. Their possession tactics and neat passing often frustrates opponents, and have served them well in more recent times.

If the Boyz lose their cool in the sweltering heat of Riyadh, which is likely to be warmer than Kingston but certainly a lot less humid, then Whitmore has his work cut out.

The Boyz tend to be a physical team who like to keep the ball at their feet, but can suddenly use their athleticism and pace to attack opponents.

Whitmore is going have to prove that he is a master tactician with his troops, and to get them firing on all cylinders in the opening encounter is no easy task, although he should have more players available for the second match next week.