BOYZ HUNT FIRST WIN IN PERU
JAMAICA’S SENIOR men’s football team will hunt a first win against Peru when the sides meet in an International Friendly today at the Estadio Monumental in Peru, starting at 7:30 p.m. local time.
The Jamaicans met the Peruvians on two previous occasions but have yet to beat them. On November 15, 2006, the first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw and the second game on September 7, 2010, saw Peru winning 2-1.
Now, the 79th ranked six-time Caribbean Cup champions will look to upset the 15th ranked Peru in that country.
The Theodore Whitmore coached Reggae Boyz departed the island yesterday with the majority, including the nine local based players who were selected by the Jamaica Football Federation last weekend, following a series of training camps with local based club players.
Among the local contingent is veteran attacker Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson. He returned to Tivoli Gardens two years ago after playing professionally in England and the United States.
WONDERFUL SEASON
The 36-year-old had a wonderful 2016-17 season, where he was the top scorer with 16 goals in the Red Stripe Premier League and voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Johnson last represented the Reggae Boyz in 2013 as a substitute during a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Panama in a 1-1 draw.
Also named in the team is Johnson’s club team-mate, 20 year-old defensive midfielder Tevin Shaw. Ewan Grandison, captain of Portmore United has also been recalled to the Reggae Boyz team.
The full squad reads: Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers), Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Cory Burke (Bethlehem Steele), Je-Vaughn Watson (New England Revolution), Oneil Fisher (Seattle Sounders), Ryan Thompson (Central FC), Romario Williams (Charleston Battery), Sergio Campbell (Pittsburgh Riverhounds), Shaun Francis (San Jose Earthquakes), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls), Jermaine Taylor (Minnesota United), Jermaine Johnson (Tivoli Gardens), Owayne Gordon (Montego Bay United), Ewan Grandison (Portmore United), Ladale Ritchie (Montego Bay United), Rosario Harriott (Harbour View), Shamar Nicholson (Boys’ Town), Fabian Grant (Harbour View), Michael Binns (Portmore United) and Tevin Shaw (Tivoli Gardens).