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Parris, Magee still in Hall’s plans
March 23, 2022
Reggae Boyz coach Paul Hall has declared his intention to rebuild the national team, and the squad for the upcoming Concacaf World Cup qualifiers reflects that idea with the inclusion of a number of promising young talent mixed with some experienced campaigners.
However, the omission of Slovenia-based Kaheem Parris and Belgium-based Tyreek Magee has left many Reggae Boyz fans disappointed.
Hall has yet to see FC Koper's Parris in action but Eupen's midfielder Magee is a player he holds in high regard. He says both players are still very much a part of his plans.
"Young players Magee and Parris are both unlucky not to make it into the final 23. However, they are very much in our thoughts. These are the players you want to see in a few years' time," Hall said.
"However, these players cannot just come in because their name is Parris or Magee. These guys have to fight to come in. They have to be playing and be successful at their clubs then they can be considered.
"But there are players in the squad now who I can rely on and that is the reason why they weren't called. But they will get their chance so they just have to keep working hard and make me want to pick them," he said.
Hall added that he will be speaking to the young players and their managers about what they need to be doing while they are at their clubs.
He also wants to see young players fighting to hold their places in the team.
"We will speak to all the managers about their young players and how we can help each other to help them become better players.
"We have to ensure that when they come in they come in really hungry and they can stay in the team, that is most important," Hall said.
Hall also mentioned Peter-Lee Vassell as another player who could come into the squad, but said if he comes in he has to show by his actions on the training field, his behaviour, his attitude and performance that he can keep somebody out of a spot in the squad.
Jamaica, who are out of contention for a place in the next World Cup, will play El Salvador in the first of three World Cup qualifying games at the National Stadium tomorrow. This will be followed by an away game against Canada on March 27. They will close out their campaign against Honduras at the National Stadium on March 30.
Jamaica are languishing second from bottom in the eight-team group with seven points from 11 matches. They are 18 points behind leaders Canada and 10 points adrift of fourth-place Panama. The top three teams will qualify for Qatar 2022, while the fourth-place team will enter a play-off for a place in the finals.
