Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sport

( L - R ) Goodison, King, Fuller

JAMAICA'S Reggae Boyz will set out to achieve a number of goals in their friendly international against St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), which is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kick-off at the 'Office' tonight.

Rene Simoes' team, like the Vincentians, are gauging towards crucial Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Associations of Football (CONCACAF) first round World Cup qualifying assignments at mid-month and are seeking more than just a good work-out, especially as most of their players are based overseas, play for different teams and haven't had much practise time together.

"The main point is to reshape the team for the World Cup. The word reshape involves everything - knowing each other, chemistry, rhythm, pace and so on ... everything," noted the sport's technical director here, Simoes, who is also the team's head coach.

FIFA ranking

Another task is to improve the country's world ranking of 105.

"We've to look for the FIFA ranking," remarked Simoes who coached the team to its first World Cup Finals appearance in France, 1998.

The Vincentians are ranked 145th on the FIFA list.

Simoes returned to the position in January this year, following an eight-year absence, with far less time to prepare for the Cup qualifying competition.

For more than a week now the Brazilian has been working with a large group of nearly 30 players, most of whom play professionally in European countries and North America.

"The physical condition of the players now is not good," he said after a training session at the National Stadium on Monday night. "The players have just finished the season and most have not played football for about a month ... to play 90 minutes now is not easy."

Two members of the group, first-time invitee Lee Williamson of English club Watford and Demar Stewart, were treated for injuries after Monday night's training and are doubtful.

WORKING HARD

Despite Simoes' concerns, the players worked hard as they sought to impress amidst hope of making the Jamaican team for the Cup qualifiers that begin with two matches here against The Bahamas on Sunday, June 15 and Wednesday, the 18th at the 'Office' and multi-purpose stadium in Trelawny, respectively.

This represents a prime opportunity for some of the players, as they are effectively on trial and as reflected by his searches, there are spots that Simoes still wants to fill.

As the technical director pointed out though, "you cannot in one friendly play so many players" so each will be looking to make the best use of the opportunity.

The headliners, though, should include Ricardo Fuller, fresh from a goal-filled League Championship campaign in England, fellow strikers Marlon King, Luton Shelton and Deon Burton, while Demar Phillips, Rudolph Austin, Ricardo Gardner, Jermaine Johnson, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Omar Daley, who also doubles as a right full back, and the duo recalled after a long absence, Andy 'Bomber' Williams and Richard Langley, are also numbered among exciting midfield prospects.

Forming the core of the team

Ian Goodison and Tyrone Marshall are senior players who should form the core of the defence, while Donovan Ricketts appears certain to start in goal again.

Jamaica have played two matches since Simoes' return, drawing 1-1 with Costa Rica and 2-2 with Trinidad and Tobago.

The Vincentians, who arrived here yesterday, beat Jamaica in their last official match - 2-1 in the Digicel Caribbean Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium. That defeat eliminated the Boyz from the CONCACAF Gold Cup competition.

However, SVG lost its most recent practise games this year, 0-2 to Barbados in mid March and 1-2 to Grenada on February 10.