Reggae Boyz end COVID lay-off tomorrow - ... as they take on Saudi Arabia in first of two friendlies

by

November 13, 2020

Photo

Damion Lowe (left) leads the Reggae Boyz on to the field at the National Stadium last year to take on Honduras in a Concacaf Gold Cup match.

Jamaica's eight-month hiatus from international football ends tomorrow as the Reggae Boyz will face Saudi Arabia in the first of two international friendlies at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium in Riyadh. Match time is at 12 p.m. Jamaica time.

The two-game series kicks off the national senior team's preparations for a packed 2021 which will include the Concacaf World Cup qualifying round starting in June and the Gold Cup tournament which will begin in July. The coronavirus pandemic upended the football schedule for the calendar year, which caused the rescheduling of the international window. This will be the first time since March that Jamaica have played an international friendly since their 2-0 win over Bermuda.

CHALLENGES

However, the team faces challenges in their preparations because of the strict protocols. According to team manager Roy Simpson, Jaevon East, Jaedin White and Oneil Fisher are the only remaining players who have yet to arrive in Riyadh for the friendlies. He says that the late arrivals could impact the team as they would have to obey the strict quarantine protocols before joining their teammates.

"The technical staff is concerned that the cancellation and delays of flights will affect the squad because everyone who comes in must adhere to the 48-hour quarantine period," Simpson said. White replaced Humble Lion goalkeeper Dennis Taylor, who tested positive for COVID-19 en route to Riyadh.

The rest of the delegation have already done their COVID tests ahead yesterday's expected training session.

Highlighting the delegation will be the international debut of Ravel Morrison, who was a long-time target of the national senior programme. Given the long lay-off and how restrictions and protocols have affected preparations, local pundit Michael Hall cautions to not set high expectations for the team in their first game back.

"I think if you are being a pragmatist, you think about the positives that you can take whatever you see happening on the field of play. Clearly, a win would be gravy but it's a tall order to expect that," Hall said.

The second international friendly will take place on Tuesday at the same venue. Both games will be played without fans in attendance.