Interim Head Coach of the “Reggae Boyz,” Paul Hall, says his selection policy in the short term will be to pick the best players available as he aims to get Jamaica into the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Jamaica is currently sixth in the eight-team standings with seven points from eight games, and which sees them trailing Panama, Mexico, the USA and Canada, teams that are currently in the positions to qualify for the world cup. Fourth-placed Panama and third-placed Mexico have 14 points, seven clear of Jamaica with six games remaining in the final round of qualifying.
The top three teams qualify for the World Cup while the fourth-placed team advances to the inter-confederation play-offs.
With that in mind, Hall says his priority will be to pick a group of players that will give them the best chance to win all their remaining matches.
“In the short term, we want to pick a squad of players that’s going to win us a game of football and that’s the policy. We’ve got to pick the best players who are going to win us games of football,” Hall said while speaking during his first media session since he was announced as the replacement for Theodore Whitmore, who was fired late last week.
Hall said the members of the might change from a personnel standpoint, but all players must exhibit similar characteristics.
“Now they might change from Mexico to Costa Rica to Panama. However, the squad must be committed. That’s one thing that I expect from each and every player. I would also expect that squad to have the resilience and the materials to be able to beat a Mexico, a Panama, a Costa Rica and a Canada,” said Hall.
Hall also outlined a long-term policy that emphasizes providing opportunities for local-based players.
“In the medium and long-term, we would look to try and get locally based players to get experience around the professionals that have come from England and America, get them to experience being around the older players,” he said.
Jamaica's World Cup qualifying campaign resumes on January against Mexico at the National Stadium in Kingston.
'Girlz held hostage?' - Former national coach Blaine believes program beholden to outside benefactors
Former Reggae Girlz coach Vin Blaine has expressed concern that the women’s national program is heavily beholden to an outside benefactor.
Earlier this week, Blaine stepped down from the post after just six months in charge of the national team. During his tenure at the helm, the coach found himself at loggerheads with members of the national team, 19 of whom had sent and signed a letter to the JFF questioning the coach’s training methods.
Blaine, however, continues to believe the players were influenced by external forces who will continue to hold plenty of sway with both a large swath of the team’s senior players and the federation itself.
“A lot of people might not want me to say it but definitely that’s what it is,” Blaine told the SportMax Zone, when asked whether he thought the national program was being held, hostage.
“That’s from my perspective and that’s one of the reasons I decided to part ways and let them have the program. Hopefully, I wish them all the best. I hold no ill will towards anyone,” he added.
“It’s my country but it’s just that at this moment I have decided that this is what is best for me and the program.”
The JFF will now begin the search for a new head coach, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in July.
Valencia report death threats made to president Murthy to police
Valencia have reported death threats made to president Anil Murthy to the police.
Murthy, members of his family and employees at the LaLiga club have also been targeted by fans.
Valencia revealed back in October 2019 that the club had informed police of death threats made to Murthy.
With Jose Bordalas' side 11th in LaLiga and losing to Real Betis on penalties in the Copa del Rey final, supporters are alleged to have crossed the line again.
A club statement said: "Valencia CF, through the club's legal services, are compiling all death threats, insults and other actions against president Anil Murthy, his relatives and club employees.
"This Wednesday morning, these actions have been reported to the police, and in the coming days an update of the complaint will be carried out, including reporting demonstrations of hatred and threats of acts of violence carried out on social networks.
"This type of behaviour is not acceptable in society, it does not represent any of the values of Valencia CF and may lead to legal consequences."
The club earlier this month called on their supporters to respect Bordalas as they condemned "the harassment" of the coach and his players.
Bordalas was appointed as Valencia before the start of the 2021-22 campaign, just two days after departing Getafe following a successful five-season spell.
The 58-year-old was chosen by Valencia owner Peter Lim as the successor to Javi Gracia, who became the 11th coach to leave the club in the past nine years.
Tuchel confirms Christensen opted out of FA Cup final for 'private' reasons
Thomas Tuchel has no idea if Andreas Christensen will play for Chelsea again after the defender ruled himself out of the FA Cup final for "private" reasons.
Christensen's contract expires at the end of the month and Barcelona are the favourites to sign him on a free transfer.
The Denmark international started in the 3-0 Premier League win at Leeds United, but was not in the squad for a defeat to Liverpool on penalties on the FA Cup final at Wembley last Saturday.
Blues boss Tuchel on Wednesday confirmed the centre-back told him he was unavailable on the morning of the game.
Tuchel is unsure if Christensen will play in the London club's two remaining Premier League games against Leicester City on Thursday and Watford three days later, as they strive to secure third place.
Asked if Christensen will return, the German said in a press conference: "Not sure yet if he's involved tomorrow and at the weekend.
"Andreas came on the morning of the match and told me he was not ready to play.
"He had his reasons, they stay private and confidential, but it was not the first time as you can see over the last weeks we had some of the same situations why he did not play so regularly.
"We thought that we are in a good progression and good development because he played very strong in the match before the final against Leeds but the conversation took place and we have to respect it and we of course respected it and he has our support.
"It is unlikely for the weekend, it was on very short notice before the cup final and other matches in the weeks before. So no chance I have any prediction for tomorrow and the weekend."
Timo Werner will miss the clash with Leicester due to a thigh injury, while Kai Havertz also has a thigh problem and will be monitored ahead of the game.
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