Sport

Williams likely to get his wish

By HOWARD WALKER, Staff Reporter

MIDFIELDER ANDY Williams might just get his wish for more playing time when Jamaica tackle El Salvador in a CONCACAF Group One World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium at 7:00 this evening.

After playing a huge role in transforming Jamaica's play against Panama in Panama City on Saturday night, Williams, who has spent a lot of time on the bench lately, said he wants to be on the field.

He made the comment while answering a query about what inspired his game-changing performance against Panama, in the 1-1 draw.

Williams said: "I'm just showing the coach that I want to be out there."

With midfielder Micah Hyde unavailable for today's clash because of an accumulation of yellow cards, Williams looks certain to get his wish alongside captain Theodore Whitmore and whomever else makes up the link.

Prevent counter strategy

Coach Sebastiao Lazaroni, while declaring that he knew his starting 11 yesterday, refused to name his team. This appears a clear move to prevent the opponent from preparing a counter strategy.

The Jamaicans are going for all three points to break the second place deadlock with Panama, who like Jamaica have five points. Panama will play away to the United States, who lead the group on eight points. El Salvador are bottom of the standings on three points.

Only two teams will advance from the group and only two matches remain for all the teams.

Meanwhile, Jason Euell has been cleared by FIFA to represent Jamaica as his application to world football's governing body was approved on Monday night.

The 27-year-old Euell had his original request turned down by FIFA's players status committee last week after FIFA ruled that he had not yet taken up Jamaican citizenship when he played for England's Under-21 team.

Not properly done

Former Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Captain Horace Burrell, said that the application was not properly done initially.

"The information provided fell short of the rules governing the application to FIFA. Last week while in Zurich it was pointed out to me that the application was not properly done.

"I will continue to do all that I can to enhance the success of Jamaica's football programme as I have always put country over all other interests," Burrell said.

"I'd like to say a special thanks to the Sports Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, CONCACAF president Jack Warner, Dr. Urs Lindsay and Peter Hagaty, special advisor to president Blatter, who were all instrumental in helping to clear Jason," he said.

But JFF president Crenston Boxhill was rather surprised at Burrell's statements.

Boxhill said: "We made certain that we adhere to all the criteria and whatever was requested we made certain that it was sent forward to FIFA, I was surprised when it was refused in the first instance."

According to Boxhill, after the Haiti game he and Burrell had a discussion and they came to the agreement that whatever assistance he (Burrell) would be prepared to offer would be appreciated.

"I remember when we were submitting the application I called Captain and said to him that this is the first favour we will ask of you in getting Jason released and he said, OK, what have you done so far? Fax the document that you are sending to FIFA to me and we did that. So he was fully aware of the process from the beginning."