Monthly Archives: May 2014
National Premier League Playoffs kick off in earnest today
Once again four teams hunt two spots into the National Premier League for next season with Reno Fc of Westmoreland hosting Axum FC of St Mary and Jamalco FC of Clarendon tackling corporate area champion Barbican FC. Both games will start at 3:30 pm.
Of these four teams Reno has been there and done, that winning the premier league on three occasions in 1990, 91, 95 but has been erratic in recent times being relegated twice in 2009 and 2012.
They will again be expected to gain promotion back to the top league although not much is known about their opponent Axum the Eastern Confederation champion, Reno must make a winner start especially playing at home at the Frome Sports Complex.
But Axum will be no pushovers and this club from Annotto Bay have been playing together for years. They are said to be well organised defensively with a good attacking flair. The core of the players are from that Annotto Bay area and are well jelled together giving them an advantage.
In the other game at the Wembley Excellence Centre in South East Clarendon, Jamalco’s meteoric rise since being formed in 2011 could continue but they must start well against Barbican.
Both teams are novices to the playoffs and both are eager to make the mark. Traditionally the KSAFA teams are normally strong so a lot is expected from Barbican.
Only time will tell but what is important is that every team will want to start well and this first set of games will be crucial
KSAFA/HI-LYTE MAJOR LEAGE SEMI FINAL TODAY
Meadforest FC, Rockfort FC and Maverley/Hughenden recorded big wins in the quarter-finals of the 2014 KASAFA/Major League football competition over the weekend.
On Saturday, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Meadforest crushed Central Kingston 4-0, while Maverley/Hughenden blanked Whitfield 4-2 in their quarter-final match at the same UWI venue.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, at Stadium East field, Rockfort stunned Cooreville Gardens 4-1 in the first game of the double-header, while Bull Bay FC crawled past Dunhaney Park 1-0.
Maverley/Hughenden will face Rockfort in the first semi-final, while the second semi-final should be an interesting one with Meadforest taking on Bull Bay.
Admission $200.00
Both matches will be played at the Stadium East field this Sunday, with the first match scheduled for 2:00 pm and the second for 4:00.
Boyz offered landmark entry to Copa America, says Burrell …Mexico other invited CONCACAF team for 2015 edition
JAMAICA have been offered a landmark entry into the 2015 Copa America to be hosted in Chile, according to local football boss Captain Horace Burrell.
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, speaking at Thursday evening’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) Awards Ceremony at the Courtleigh Auditorium, announced that Jamaica and CONCACAF rivals Mexico have been invited to the tournament, usually competed amongst South American teams.
“Jamaica have just been given an opportunity to play in next year’s COPA America Championships for the first time. Two teams from the CONCACAF have been invited — Mexico and Jamaica,” Burrell proudly stated as part of his declaration that the country’s football has a “bright” future.
Jamaica, who have only qualified for the FIFA World Cup once — the 1998 showpiece in France — have fallen on hard times recently, failing to make the Brazil 2014 event, which begins next month.
In fact, the Reggae Boyz, normally competitive at the regional CONCACAF level, ended last in the final round phase of World Cup qualifying and were sent packing at the group stage of the previous Caribbean Football Union (CFU) tournament.
But Burrell believes that Jamaica’s global recognition and marketability, and the Boyz’ innate attributes have made them an attractive option for CONMEBOL, the football governing body for the South America region.
“Our neighbours in CONCACAF, and even football regions further afield, have recognised Jamaica’s potential in football. I think people are taking notice of our organisation and our broader development efforts as a football-playing nation. Once we can work out some issues that impedes the rate of our progress, like the poor playing surfaces that our youngsters have to play on, then we will be on our way.
“There’s no doubt about the talent that is available to us, and there are those who admire the uniqueness of our athleticism, so really it’s just a matter of time before Jamaica’s football explodes, and there are those who believe in this potential.
“Also, I believe that the Reggae Boyz is an admired team by others out there, so too is Brand Jamaica which is a pull to those on the outside,” Burrell told the Jamaica Observer in a follow-up interview.
Only three weeks ago, in Miami, during a joint press conference between the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, both confederations outlined a super tournament to commemorate the 100th year of the Copa America.
It is argued that the merger is in keeping with a broad vision of forming beneficial inter-continental working relationships between the respective parties.
In the 16-team Centennial Copa America, CONMEBOL’s 10-member associations — Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela — will be joined by six participants from CONCACAF.
The Copa America is generally staged every two years.
For Burrell, the celebratory tournament represents another chance to face some of the big players in world football.
“There are some exciting times ahead for Jamaica’s football, and what’s sweet about this all, is that Jamaica will have a second chance to play against top-class South American opposition in the Centennial Copa America.
“For Jamaica to earn an automatic berth to that tournament in 2016, all they have to do is to win the Caribbean Cup that will be staged in Montego Bay this November. So these are great opportunities for Jamaica to lift its profile in the realms of football and we do intend as a Federation to take full advantage,” he said.
The Reggae Boyz have arranged a series of high profile Friendly Internationals ahead of the start of the World Cup.
Over the next two weeks, Jamaica will play Serbia, Egypt, Switzerland and France — all on overseas soil.
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