Hockey president ‘cautiously optimistic’
Jamaica bow into action at Hockey5s World Cup early tomorrow
PRESIDENT OF t he Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) Fabian Stewart says the team is cautiously optimistic going into their first Pool B game against Egypt in the Hockey5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman tomorrow morning at 1:30 (Jamaica time).
He said the team will be giving it their all to come away with a positive result against the world number 18 ranked team in their first World Cup match.
“I am going to be proud but I am cautiously optimistic about our performance against Egypt.
“This is i ndeed our first ti me at an international level FIH Hockey World Cup. However, I know our boys are going to give us a 100 per cent effort,” he said.
The Jamaicans will play their second match of the day against the world number 39th ranked Switzerland at 7:30 a.m. Jamaica time, and Stewart said they are mentally and physically ready, despite their lack of practice games ahead of the tournament.
“The team has settled in very well. They have had several training sessions and an impromptu practice game with Kenya. The mood in the camp is very good. The players are really positive and just focused on the task ahead,” he said.
He added: “Food, accommodation and transportation have been very good and the hosts have been welcoming. There is a sense of togetherness in the team and mutual support for each other. But things are very well laid out and the team is now focused on participating as best as possible in the tournament.”
Before the team’s departure for Oman, coach Duvaughn Henlon said advancing to the second round is the team’s main objective.
“There is no limit to how far we think we can go. There is no cap on our ceiling. Jamaicans are always surprising everybody. We have an open mind and the first aim is to make it out of the group. Once we make it out of the group, we will just take it game after game.
“In our group, India are the biggest threat. They are ranked three in the world and we think we will be able to give them a challenge.
“But we have definitely set ourselves on getting good results against Egypt and Switzerland, and, if we secure two wins, we will make it out of the group,” Henlon said.
He believes their lack of match practice might make things a bit more challenging.
“The only thing we are lacking is match practice. We haven’t played any competitive games since July when we played in the field hockey at the Central American and Caribbean Games. We have just been playing squad matches, and we think that might be the only thing. So being match sharp might be one of the only difficulties,” Henlon said.
Squad: Ajani Burton (captain), Rasheed Johnston (goalkeeper), Richard Harris, Christopher Reid, Tyrone Vernon, Kemar Mitchell, George McGlashan, Daniel Powell, Shemar Gordon, Tuseef Graham.
Officials: Head coach – Duvaughn Henlon; manager – Ebony McLean; physiotherapist – Yael Jagbir; doctor – Dr Michelle Holt; assistant coach/manager - Kameisha Erskine.