Philip Degen (23) of Switzerland battles for the ball against Demar Phillips (12) of Jamaica, during a friendly at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Thursday, March 22. Switzerland defeated Jamaica 2-0. - AP Photo
Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
The Reggae Boyz will be on a revenge mission when they tackle Panama in a Digicel international friendly game at the National Stadium tonight at 8:00. Football fans should be in for a feast of football at the stadium with Jamaica's Under-17s kick-starting the proceedings at 4:00 p.m. against a Jamaica Select High School Team. Then at 6:30 p.m., there will be a Masters versus Celebrities exhibition game.
Back in 2004, Panama stole four points from Jamaica during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, which eventually cost Jamaica dearly.
In the first encounter in Kingston, Panama edged Jamaica 2-1 before playing to a 1-1 draw in the return fixture in Panama City.
Crenston Boxhill, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), said his organisation is aware that this game is very special for many reasons. Said Boxhill: "We will not forget the crucial role Panama played in our elimination from the World Cup. It is now time to strike back."
In eight meetings to date, Jamaica have only defeated Panama once while losing three times, with four games ending in draws.
Rebound
Jamaica, ranked 61st in world, will be hoping to rebound from Thursday's 0-2 loss to the 17th ranked Switzerland in Fort Lauderdale.
Technical director, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, will be making his debut in the 'Office' and will get a first-hand experience of the Jamaican public. After Jamaica's defeat by Switzerland, Milutinovic's said he wasn't too worried about the immediate results right now.
"We need to play. (That) is important and I hope the people from Jamaica, they grow to understand what is our goal. Our goal is clear, to go to the World Cup. To do this, we need to work hard, to have patience, to support our players."
The Jamaican squad has been strengthened by the inclusion of English-based Ricardo Gardner and Luton Shelton, and should turn in a much better performance than the last one. The likes of Fabian Taylor, Donald Stewart, Fabian Davis, Kavin Bryan, Christopher Harvey, Mario Swaby, Lovel Palmer, Jermaine Taylor, Xavean Virgo and company get another chance to impress Milutinovic.
Weakest teams
Panama, ranked seven places above Jamaica at 54, were considered one of the weakest teams in the CONCACAF for many years.
However, they have emerged as a force worthy of recognition and respect. Their recent achievements include a trip to the final round of regional qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and also reaching the final game of the 2005 Gold Cup. Only recently they were finalists in the 2007 Digicel Copa Naciones, losing on penalties to Costa Rica.
Panama also have a new coach in Brazilian-born Alexandre Borges Guimares who took charge late last year.
The gates open at 1:00 p.m. and tickets cost $500 for bleachers and $1,200 & $1,500 for the grandstand. Digicel customers who purchase tickets on the game day at the gate will receive discounts as follows - bleachers tickets $300 and grandstand tickets $1,000.
Send comments to howard.walker@gleanerjm.com
