( l - r ) Fuller and Chile's Matias Fernandez Reuters

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Luke warm in their last couple of friendlies, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will be looking to pick up the pace when they are tested by South American giants Chile in a 7:00 p.m. encounter tonight at 'The Office', the National Stadium.

"Things have been going really well with our preparation for this fixture, both from a tactical and physical standpoint," the team's assistant coach, Wendell Downswell, told The Gleaner yesterday.

"This could be our sternest test so far, but the team is upbeat and we are looking for a quality performance come tomorrow," he added.

Well anything short of that and the Jamaicans will certainly find themselves in trouble against seven-time World Cup qualifiers Chile, who are currently ranked 43rd in the world, 27 places above the Jamaicans.

The Chileans are also expected to field a fairly strong team, which should include the dangerous Matias Fernandez of Spain's La Liga side Villareal and Real Sociedad's Claudio Mu-oz.

The Chileans have been inconsistent in their last couple of interntional games after securing a 0-0 draw with Argentina back in April, but went down 4-0 to Brazil the previous month and more recently 2-0 to Costa Rica earlier this month. They are currently coached by formerUrguyan player, Nelson Acosta.

The good news for the Reggae Boyz, however, is that they will be fielding their strongest team in recent times.

In contrast to the last two friendlies - a 2-0 loss to Sweden back in March, which featured a squad with no foreign-based players and a tame 1-1 draw in what was supposed to be a grudge macth with Panama at the National Stadium later that month which saw just two overseas players suit up - five are included in the squad for tonight's encounter.

Spearheaded by captain Ricardo Gardner of Bolton Wanderers, ace striker Luton Shelton of Sheffield United, Stoke City's Ricardo Fuller and Damion Stewart of the Queens Park Rangers, the overseas contingent was also boosted by Sean Fraser who joined the team yesterday.

Nice mix

Downswell explained that the team has a nice mix of experience and one that gives the local players an oppourtunity to showcase their talent.

"We know they are a strong team but I think we have enough experience to give a good account of ourselves and this is also a good chance for the local players to contninue cementing their spots for the World Cup qualification campaign.

"So far the players have been fitting together well and I am inviting the public to come out and give their support," he added.

However, if one eye is on the Boyz, many members of a result-driven public will certainly have the other on still fairly new technical director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, as they expect good results sooner than later.

Milutinovic has been criticised in recent times for not only tame results, but mainly his selections for the senior squad and also what was perceived to be a lack of involvement in the youth World Cup qualifiers.

SQUADS: Jamaica - Andre Redwood, Mario Harrison, Allien Whittaker, Nicholy Finlayson, Jermaine Taylor, Demar Phillips, Donald Stewart, Richard McCallum, Fabian Taylor, Lovel Palmer, Wolry Wolfe, Christopher Harvey, Mario Swaby, Richard Edwards, Adrian Reid, Ricardo Gardner, Keneil Moodie, Luton Shelton, Donovan Davis, Sean Fraser, Fabian Davis, Ricardo Fuller, Xavian Virgo and Khari Stephenson.

Chile - Claudio Bravo Mu-oz, Hector Sanhuez Medel, Nicol‡s Peric, Jode Cabion Dianta, Rodrigo Melndez Araya, Alvaro Ormneno Salazar, Manuel Iturra Urrutia, Gonzalo Fierro Caniullan, Carlos Villanueva Rolland, Sebastian Roco Melgarejo, Mat'as Fern‡ndez, Ismael Fuentes Castro, Jorge Valdivia Toro, Pablo Contreras Fica, Luis Jimnez Garcs, Jorge Vargas Palacios, Arturo Vidal Pardo, Reinaldo Navia Amador, Rodrigo Tello Valenzuela, Humberto Suazo Pontivo and Roberto Gutirrez Gamboa.

CURTAIN RAISER

Meanwhile, the friendly international feature will be preceded at 5:00 p.m. by a curtain raiser between a Masters and Celebrities team and an Entertainers group comprising mainly DJs and singers.

Some members of the Masters and Celebrities squad are: Clive 'Busy' Campbell, Richie Murray, Ian Wilkinson, Trevor 'TC' Campbell, Michael 'Jah Mikes' Williams, Hugh 'Bingy' Blair, Allan 'Skill' Cole, Peter Moses, Andrew Price, Lincoln Taffe, Zachary Harding, Rudolph Speid and Lenworth 'Teacher' Hyde.

Some players in the Entertainers squad are: Spragga Benz, Lexxus, John Hype, Assassin, Kiprich, Captain Barkey and Wicker Man, Ding Dong, Mr. Balance (Snagga Puss), Nesbeth, Aidonia, Luciano, Wayne Marshall, Marvin Chin, Peter Prendergast, Capleton and Vybz Kartel.

( l - r )Chile's Gutierrez and Luton Shelton - FILE