Adrian Frater, News Editor

Marcelino Blackburn ... scored for Jamaica XI. - file

Western Bureau:

They lost only 2-1 but based on the reaction of national technical director René Simoes, the members of the Western All Stars team, which engaged the national team in a friendly match at Jarrett Park on Sunday night, did not succeed in their mission to impress him.

"I was not impressed by any of the western players this time around," Simoes stated bluntly after the game. "However, you have to understand it was just a one-game situation so I cannot be too disappointed."

In a game, which was technically and tactically flawed in many respects, the national team got their goals through first half efforts by Wolry Wolfe and Marcelino Blackburn. Former national player Jermaine Anderson got the consolation goal for the westerners.

No favours

Like their western counterparts, the national team, which featured mostly local-based players, also did themselves no favours to their bid to get into Simoes' final squad for the 2010 World Cup, as according to him, they did not impress either.

"Some members of the national team did okay," said Simoes, flipping his right hand to indicate token satisfaction. "However, others did not do well as a lot of mistakes were made so I have to be disappointed about that."

In terms of the week spent in the west, Simoes said the training camp was very good as it provided him with an opportunity to get a better look at some of the players as he moved closer to selecting a final squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against the Bahamas.

"I now have a squad in mind but I am not yet ready to make an announcement," said Simoes. "We will continue to look at the players in the upcoming weeks before announcing the squad."

In Sunday night's game, the national team took the lead in the second minute of play courtesy of a mix-up between Western All Stars' goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett and a defender created an opening for Jevaughn Watson, who flicked the ball to Wolfe. He calmly slotted in, making the score 1-0.

Struggling

With the westerners struggling in their bid to be cohesive, the Jamaican team doubled their lead in the 38th minute. A low cross by midfielder O'Brian Woodbine slipped from the grasp of goal-keeper Barrett and fell comfortably for Blackburn. He fired in easily, making the score 2-0.

The Western All Stars got on the score-sheet through a stroke of luck in the 40th minute. A free-kick some 25-yards from goal by Anderson deflected off a defender and with goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts wrong-footed, the ball flew into the goal, making the final score 2-1.

"It was a tough game for us because our preparation for this game was somewhat limited," said Joshua Cummings, the coach of the western team. "However, it was an opportunity for the players to show their worth."