FRANCE 98 – Japan-Jamaica – T. Whitmore: “We're very pleased to have gained a lot of experience”

Fitzroy SIMPSON (6):

“I’m proud to finish this World Cup with a win. I dreamed of scoring a goal during the World Cup but unfortunately that was all just a dream. I’m looking forward to 2002. We have never just played for the team but for Jamaican football and most of all for JAMAICA (Group H). Everybody deserves to be here at least once to take part in such an event. The biggest shame for this World Cup is that the best team in the tournament…or at least the most cool is going home.”.

Theodore WHITMORE (11):

“As I scored both goals, I’m very happy, as are the whole team. These are the two most important goals of my career. I thought about the entire Jamaican public. We’re very pleased to have gained a lot of experience from this match. That said, this game unfortunately doesn’t change our final destiny, we have to go home.

Perhaps tonight I’ve managed to get myself noticed by some scouts which will hopefully give me the chance of playing in Europe”.

Aaron LAWRENCE (13):

Today, I am very proud of my country and myself. It is the first Jamaican victory in the last phase of a World Cup. We reacted following our heavy defeat against ARGENTINA, so that we didn’t go home without having gained a point.

This match will remain my greatest memory of the World Cup. More than anything it will motivate us when it comes to the qualifying games for the World Cup in 2002.

Marcus GAYLE (8):

As the coach wanted, we showed our team spirit during this last match, which wasn’t the case in our other two matches. Over the last few days, the players have been getting on better, which probably helped against JAPAN.

I think that for all the spectators, especially those in the stadium, this match must have been very enjoyable,: with lots of attacking, a very fast game.