❒ 'Unknown' traditional rivals Jamaica and Haiti clash in football friendly

GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, United States

It won't quite be like two blind mice battling in the dark, but neither Jamaica nor Haiti will have many details about each other when the two countries clash in a friendly football international here tonight.

Coach John Barnes admitted to knowing next to nothing about the current state of Jamaica's traditional Caribbean rivals before the teams take the Lockhart Stadium field at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. Jamaica time). He has not seen Haiti play since last December's Digicel Caribbean Championships and Jamaica has not been able to scout their opponents prior to tonight's game.

"I really don't know what to expect," said Barnes yesterday. "I don't know whether it's the same Haiti team from the Digicel Cup.

"This game was fixed up three weeks ago and we don't even know what the Haiti team is. So I haven't got a clue what the Haiti team is."

traditional strengths

Barnes is not alone. His Haiti counterpart Jairo Ríos said while he was aware of the traditional strengths of Jamaican national teams, including speed and skill of players, he had little or no knowledge of the current 18-man Reggae Boyz squad, made up of primarily locally based players, currently assembled here.

"They are a strong team, that's their important quality," was about all the Colombian-born Ríos would say through a translator. "They use air football and they are fast along the lines."

However, Barnes said he was less concerned about Haiti's tactics than the ability of his own squad to show continuity from the success of winning the Digicel Cup and holding a quality Nigeria team to a 0-0 draw in England in February. The coach revealed yesterday that the Reggae Boyz would adapt a new 4-4-2 formation tonight, replacing their more familiar 3-5-2. He was not willing to disclose his starting team.

veteran defender

However, veteran defender Ian Goodison joined the squad from England on Thursday and is likely to partner Claude Davis or Damion Stewart at the heart of defence. Jason Morrison and Richard Edwards could be paired in the holding midfield role, with Eric Vernon and Wolry Wolfe on the flanks. Striker Roland Dean, who twisted his knee during Thursday's training session, was still being evaluated up to press time, but he may be ready to start. He could be partnered up front by either Nicholas Addlery, Keammar Daley or Navion Boyd.

Barnes is hoping to see his team keep possession of the ball and improve their movement off it.

Haiti, meanwhile, have vowed to go on the offensive from the first whistle.

"We have to attack and don't let them attack us all the time," said Peguero Jean Philippe, a Haitian striker who is returning to the national team from injury. "We have to keep the pressure on them. They're really strong."

A cautious Ríos, who has been guiding the Haitian team for about six months, said he plans "to cover both lines against the speed" of Jamaica.

One player Haiti knows about is Addlery, a member of Puerto Rico Islanders of United Soccer Leagues in North America. The forward is club mates with a couple Haitians set to take the field tonight.

"(Addlery) is a very good player," Ríos said.

The game is being viewed by both teams as pivotal in their preparations for July's CONCACAF Gold Cup. It could be contested in sloppy conditions. Early weather predictions indicate that rain could be a factor at game time. However, under clear skies, the 20,500 capacity Lockhart Stadium could hold a sizeable spectator turnout as there is a large Caribbean community in South Florida. The promoters of the game are banking on their mood of celebration prior to Monday's Memorial Day holidays transferring to the game.