FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°11
Everyone loves an underdog and Jamaica, who begin their World Cup adventure against Croatia here on Sunday, fit the perfect example of glamorous outsiders who add colour to the tournament.
Jamaica, who became hot news when they became the first English-speaking Caribbean side to reach the finals, are certainly not just here to play reggae music and party. In fact residents of tiny rural town Arc-en-Barrois have already been upset that the squad has not been very sociable, but coach Rene Simoes is serious about his football preparations. ” We are not going to make up the numbers. We are going to win the World Cup. If others want to underestimate us that is their problem, “ says Simoes. Jamaica’s first ever World Cup qualification has been on the back of four years hard work by coach Simoes, as he transformed them from what he described as performing seals to competitive, international footballers. Jamaica are anxious to play their first match and Derby striker Deon Burton said: ” I can’t wait anymore. I wish it was already Sunday. “
Robbie Earle of Wimbledon, Fitzroy Simpson of Portsmouth and Earle’s teammate Marcus Gayle are other English players called up by Simoes to strengthen the squad. Others include Chelsea’s Frank Sinclair and Burton’s teammate Daryl Powell. Gayle caused some controversy, however, by waiting until qualification was achieved before making himself available.
In fact, it is suspected just below the surface simmers a feud between the native Jamaicans and the naturalised ones who have only recently climbed on board. Burton is indeed their star striker and scored four times in the qualifiers, although midfielders Theodore Whitmore and forward Walter Boyd, both Jamaica-based, topscored in the qualifiers with five.
Under Simoes, who took charge in 1994, the side last year drew with Mexico 0-0 to claim the third qualifying berth from the CONCACAF group, edging out vastly more experienced campaigners including Costa Rica, Canada, Honduras and El Salvador. Simones has two major injury problems as he prepares for Croatia however. Defender Linval Dixon is suffering from a knee injury and midfielder Stephen Malcolm from a sore toe.
Croatia, which has only been a state for seven years, compete in their first World Cup with a team of supremely talented players who have been described as the Brazil of Europe. However their aging squad has many players born in the sixties and defenders Slaven Bilic and Igor Stimac have not had the best of seasons. On face value, Croatia may struggle in this event with their Euro 96 quarter-final loss to Germany their high watermark. Certainly Real Madrid’s Davor Suker will need to rediscover his goalscoring form of last season and fellow striker Alen Boksic, who had knee surgery last month, will be sorely missed. ” I feel really good. I want to explode at the World Cup, “ said 30-year-old Suker, who paid the price for a lean season at Real by being left on the substitutes bench in the European Cup final against Juventus last month as goalscorer Predrag Mijatovic received the nod in attack.
Suker will need to find the goalscoring form which earned him a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Australia last week. AC Milan’s Zvonimir Boban, Croatia’s captain and a courageous and consistent midfielder, will finally play in the finals after his great success at club level. Croatia are hoping Everton defender Slaven Bilic will have shrugged off a groin strain in time for Sunday’s match, Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic, a keen follower of astrogoly, might just need some lucky stars in this World Cup. Other teams in this group include Japan and former champions Argentina.