Damion Lowe and Romario Williams
Reggae Boy Damion Lowe believes some of his compatriots should consider playing their professional football in the Middle East.
Lowe made the suggestion during a recent interview with Simon Preston on the Reggae Boyz Commentary on YouTube.
The 27-year-old defender arrived at Al Ittihad in Alexandria, Egypt, last November, and revealed that since then, he has also seen similar opportunities bear fruit for his national teammates Romario Williams, Darren Mattocks, and Alvas Powell, who are all now playing on the trans-continent.
“After I got here they kept coming to me and saying, ‘Whenever we ask agents for players, they bring Brazilians or Africans, but we need more players, more Jamaicans’,” Lowe explained.
“I told them we Jamaicans work hard, we want to make a living, we are not as valued in the North American continent, and a number of players are out of contract so there is a surplus of us to choose from.”
Lowe discussed how he was instrumental in getting Williams a contract.
“I gave them a couple of names and Romario Williams came,” he said. “Then the agent who played a part in getting myself and Romario here reached out and asked for a defender and a striker and he brought in Darren Mattocks and Alvas Powell.”
However, he thinks there are still many more opportunities to be exploited in the region.
“Our next-door neighbours UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar — the market is open now for Jamaicans because we have come here and we are doing well, and I’m happy I was able to play a part in helping my countrymen,” said Lowe, who thinks the standard of play is competitive for Jamaicans.
“If people pay attention or watch the highlights, there are lots of technically sound players here because clubs have the money to recruit. From our team, the Egyptians called an Olympic team and about six or seven of our players went, they’re also in the national team. You have really good, quality players and the league is demanding.”
Lowe’s Al Ittihad are now in second place in the Egyptian Premier League with 28 points from 17 matches played.
Stones substitution 'precautionary' after injury scare - Southgate
Gareth Southgate confirmed John Stones’ substitution against Iceland on Friday was precautionary after sparking injury concerns.
The Manchester City defender started England’s final warm-up game, partnering Marc Guehi in central defence.
However, he was taken off at half-time following a clash with an Iceland player, who landed awkwardly on Stones’ ankle.
"It was mainly precautionary," said Southgate.
"He took a bit of a knock to the ankle really early in the game, but at half-time, there was no point taking any chance. We're too close to the start of the tournament, there's no point risking it."
This comes after Harry Maguire was cut from the final 26-man squad after failing to recover from a calf issue that has kept him out since April.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah were the other centre-backs to miss out, though the Liverpool man remained with the squad on standby.
England begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia in Group C on June 16.
Gordon and Souttar cut as Scotland name final Euro 2024 squad
Craig Gordon and John Souttar have been cut from Steve Clark's Scotland squad for Euro 2024.
Gordon made history in the Tartan Army's 2-2 draw with Finland on Friday, coming on as a second-half substitute to become the nation's oldest-ever international.
The 41-year-old replaced Angus Gunn at half-time to earn his 75th cap, 20 years on from his debut.
Following the game, Clark confirmed that Clark was one of the players dropped, with Rangers defender John Souttar also missing out on a place in the final 26-man party.
Scotland had already lost Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson to injury before the provisional squad was named.
Since then, Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak have withdrawn, with Tommy Conway and Lewis Morgan called up as replacements, and they both make the final squad.
Final squad: Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Zander Clark (Hearts), Liam Kelly (unattached), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ryan Porteus (Watford), Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Stuart Armstrong (unattached), Ryan Jack (Rangers), Che Adams (Southampton), Tommy Conway (Bristol City), James Forrest (Celtic), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).
Martinez: Ronaldo experience key for Portugal
Roberto Martinez is confident that Cristiano Ronaldo's vast experience will benefit Portugal during Euro 2024.
Ronaldo first played in the Euros in 2004 before winning the competition in 2016, and will surely appear in a record-extending sixth edition later this month.
The 39-year-old is the leading scorer in men's international football, netting 128 goals in 204 official matches, with 14 of those coming in the European Championships.
Ronaldo is entering what could potentially be the final major tournament of his stellar career, and Martinez is hoping to draw on all his experience ahead of their opener.
"Cristiano had very consistent performances at his club. There is no doubt that he is an incredible scorer," Martinez told reporters on Friday.
"He is in his sixth European Championship, and he is the only player who has played in five European Championships. So, we are talking about achieving a unique feat in the world of soccer and his experience is important for us.
"We have 23 players. We create competitiveness and the game makes decisions. But Cristiano is prepared to help the team and give everything he can give. And there is no other player in the world of soccer who can bring what Cristiano can to the dressing room."
Portugal will play a final warm-up game against Croatia on Saturday before beginning their Euro 2024 campaign in Group F against the Czech Republic on June 18.
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