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MCCLAREN… that is a brand new one for me (Picture: Karl Mclarty)
Steve McClaren, head coach of Jamaica’s senior soccer staff, says he’s eagerly trying ahead to his first Concacaf Gold Cup after the Reggae Boyz had been drawn in Group C at Thursday’s official draw.
The Reggae Boyz are to face Guatemala of their opening recreation on June 16. Their subsequent fixture is in opposition to Guadeloupe on June 20 earlier than closing the primary spherical in opposition to 2025 Concacaf Nations League finalists Panama on June 24.
Jamaica performed Guatemala on the quarter-finals of the final Gold Cup and beat them 1-0 with a purpose from Amari’i Bell.
The Reggae Boyz have additionally had success in opposition to the opposite groups within the group on the Gold Cup, beating Panama 1-0 within the 2019 Gold Cup quarter-finals and edged Guadeloupe 2-1 on the 2021 staging.
“I’ve heard lots in regards to the Gold Cup,” McClaren stated on Friday. “Can’t wait to expertise that. Different gamers have, however myself and majority of the UK employees, we might not have skilled it. In order that’s a brand new one for me.”
Jamaica certified for the Gold Cup after beating St Vincent and the Grenadines 4-1 on combination within the preliminary spherical home-and-away tie final month.
Will probably be a busy summer season for McClaren and the staff as they’re set to characteristic within the Unity Cup in the UK in late Might. They’re scheduled to play two FIFA World Cup qualifying video games in early June, simply previous to the beginning of the Gold Cup.
Jamaica are to face Guatemala twice in every week, within the World Cup qualifying on June 10, then the opening recreation of the Gold Cup.
McClaren stated Panama are “favourites” within the group and described Guadeloupe as “a shock package deal” with “good gamers”.
He added: “Guatemala, clearly, we’re taking part in them in a World Cup qualifier, so we’re in preparation for that, and we’ll be taught much more after the World Cup qualifier… there’s not a straightforward gamein this competitors, on this area, in Concacaf.”
Between now and their subsequent aggressive fixture, McClaren stated the primary factor is to maintain a tab on present gamers and probably finalising recruitment of others.
“That’s an important factor, ensuring gamers are knowledgeable. Really, [there are] gamers getting back from accidents. There’s fairly just a few of them, Greg Leigh, Kasey Palmer at this time second, Michail Antonio, who’s progressing effectively.
“So, participant recruitment, and that is the place we’ve actually obtained to push now. We’ve been pushing lots. We’ve obtained fairly just a few who’re getting shut. We have to push that by so we’ve obtained them accessible for the summer season and plan for the three camps, you realize, a minimum of seven video games.”
He stated logistics shall be essential to every part falling into place.
“We’ve obtained to ensure that we plan correctly. All the things’s logistically appropriate, inns, coaching amenities, choosing of the squads and simply ensuring that, yeah, we’re prepared. It’s a short while from now… however as soon as it’s going we’ve obtained to be so organised, so on the ball,” McClaren stated.
— Paul A Reid
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