LeVaughn Flynn photo
René Simoes
Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
His trademark moustache is still thick, but flecked with more grey now. A spot atop his head betrays more missing strands than he cares to count. His English is better, but some words still get nipped off at the end.
It was eight years ago that René Simoes was last intimately attached to Jamaica, and some things are definitely different.
Yet, obvious signs aside, the Brazilian, who orchestrated the Reggae Boyz' historic march to the 1998 World Cup finals in France, won't admit to much else.
"No, I don't change," Simoes explained as he sat in a hotel lobby prior to Jamaica's recent game against El Salvador in the United States.
Whether he admits it or not, these days, Simoes wears a different aura. He claims he applies the same principles as during his first stint with the national programme - from 1994 to 2000. But he also makes no secret he holds a stronger hand since returning as technical director in January.
"I am more relaxed now," Simoes said, " ... because what happens now is I don't have to fight everyday to prove myself."
That comfort zone is an offshoot of the respect he earned on the 'Road to France' campaign. It won't guarantee his job if Jamaica fail to qualify for World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Burden of expectations
Yet, the burden of expectations, he said, can only be generated by him. It even outweighs those of a nation desperate to duplicate the euphoria, which marked Jamaica's skank onto football's biggest stage a decade ago.
"It's like before," Simoes said, "because I charge myself. The pressure for me is not to come from outside. It comes from inside. I put pressure on myself every time."
That is why Simoes said he doesn't rest on the emotions of '98, although Jamaica's public still clings dearly to them. See, in recent times, Jamaica has done little. The Boyz are currently ranked 108th by FIFA, the game's ruling body, their worst ever.
In nine matches since Simoes took over, they have three wins, five draws - including 0-0 with 120th ranked El Salvador on July 26 and 1-1 with Canada, now 79th, on August 20 - and a loss to Grenada (currently tied for 136th).
Two of those victories were against weak Bahamas (165th), which conceded 13 of the 24 goals Jamaica have scored over that stretch. St Vincent and the Grenadines (150th) gave up another five.
So far, Jamaica's best result under Simoes was a 1-1 draw in February against Costa Rica, at 78th the highest ranking team the Boyz have faced since his return. Two draws against arch-Caribbean rivals T&T, especially the first one at home when the Boyz squan-dered a two-goal lead, earned Simoes bitter criticism. He accepted the blame.
Getting ready
Today, after skipping between jobs in the Caribbean, his home country and elsewhere, Simoes knows that is not good enough. The lofty 27th ranking in August 1998 - Jamaica's best ever - will not help him now.
"For me, I never qualified because this is the past," he said. "I don't take advantage of the past. I look only for what I am doing now."
Simoes' current task is getting the Reggae Boyz ready for the crucial semi-final round of CONCACAF's World Cup quali-fying campaign. It's the first real hurdle. The Boyz predictably trampled The Bahamas twice in June. Canada provided a sterner test. But Mexico, on September 6 at 'The Office' in Kingston and Honduras four days later, away, lurk dangerously in the shadows.
Only two teams can proceed from what has been billed the 'Group of Death'. From there, only three get automatic bids to South Africa.
Simoes welcomes the challenge expected in the group. It will make his team better prepared for the final round, he claims. But, what is different from '98, are the tools Simoes must work with.
Several controversial incidents, including publicised spats with star players such as Walter Boyd and Onandi Lowe did not make Simoes' 'Road to France' all smooth. But the Brazilian is the first to admit that the '98 group, which also included current assistant coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, had more gifted players than today's crop.
"Whitmore?" he asked rhe-torically. "No, I don't see Theodore Whitmore here. No, I don't see Walter Boyd.
"We were more talented (at) football," he added, listing players such as Lowe and Peter Cargill. He even mentioned others - Hector Wright and Winston Anglin among them - who did not make the squad to France.
"They were more skilful than this group now. They were blessed, those guys. Really, really, the quality they have is much higher."
Simoes has retained players such as Ricardo Gardner, Ian Goodison, Andy Williams, Deon Burton and Donovan Ricketts, then a reserve goalkeeper, from '98. But his talent search continues.
He has recalled once discarded hopefuls such as the skilful but enigmatic Jermaine Hue. Several Under-20 players are in the current training squad. He even tried to coax Whitmore out of retirement recently.
Different ballgame
Yet, Simoes understands football is different today, with the world game less reliant on individual skills and more on teamwork, fitness and discipline. What worked a decade ago may not succeed today.
"The tactical or the physical part of the game is more than 60 per cent," he explained.
That is where the current team excels. Unproven yes, Simoes said, but today's group is more mature. For that, he praised the improved organisation of local football. The clubs are more professional. The players are better suited for the national team. More are professionals overseas.
However, Simoes has also made it clear that the overseas pros have no guarantees to get into the national team over players based at home. He even vowed that, despite their advantage in experience, never again will 17 overseas-based players be included at once in a World Cup squad, like they were against The Bahamas. Those who make it, know there will be no more controversies.
"No, it can't go (like that) because the players know me now," Simoes said. "They don't try. They don't try because if you try, you'll be out."
After the second leg against The Bahamas, Simoes questioned some players' committment. Now, he's making sure they don't miss the point.
not only talent
"In some situations, certain players received the message," he said. "They will not be here because I'm not going to allow anybody to spoil my group.
"So, don't think you can be cut from this team and the team will not win," he added. "The application makes teams win. It is not only talent."
Several well-known names were not included against The Bahamas. Marlon King, the England-based striker with a decent scoring record for Jamaica, started one game against The Bahamas, but never left the bench in the other. He was not in the squad against Canada.
Simoes insists the "door" has not been closed on anyone, but the players understand the coach's position.
"If you come here for vacation, you can have the vacation and go home," said US-based newcomer Omar Cummings, repeating Simoes' warning. "But if you come here and you work hard to stay, then welcome."
Tomorrow: Simoes explains why he never returned to Jamaica after leaving in 2000, his special feeling for the country, an aborted attempt to bring him back earlier, and that anything but qualification for World Cup 2010 will lead to his departure.
Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.
