Alrick Wanliss - FILE

JAMAICA's combined martial arts team, world continental team-fighting champions, have accepted a late invitation to face the United States' national taekwondo team at the New York Invitational this Sunday in New York City.

Although the combined team is in its off season, members have been competing in their individual systems internationally, trying to gain points for selection or to maintain team spots for next season.

Jamaica have faced the United States on five occasions in the last four years, winning hands down each time.

However, the team, on this occasion, will be missing key members such as Arthur Barrows, Bruce McFarlane, Omar Rose, Shiah Shukura - all not available.

There will be three mainstays in action in New York - Alrick Wanliss, Nicholas Dussard and Kenneth Edwards - joined by recent addition Dwayne Vascianne and captain Jason McKay.

Kevin McDowell, who will participate in the individual heavyweight division on Sunday, might be asked to serve as a reserve on the squad.

Captain McKay said the invitation was a sharp one but with team members preparing for the International Taekwondo Fed-eration Taekwondo World Championship in Argentina in November, the New York Open was good warm-up.

experienced squad members

McKay said he was not worried about the absence of some of the team's experienced squad members.

"Not really," he said. "We expect to win in three matches. If we don't it's because we dragged it out. I am sure of six of the 10 points."

The team's first three fighters out - Wanliss, Dussard and Edwards - have been enjoying a dream run, winning virtually every match entered this season.

The team's captain, McKay, is seriously lacking ring time, having not participated in 90 per cent of the season due to the illness and subsequent death of his father. However, he gained a bronze at the US Open in July.

Vascianne, on the other hand, has had a terrible season, characterised by poor luck in international fixtures, coupled with issues of cardio fitness.

The US have not released their squad, making it even tougher for Jamaica to prepare for another team looking to lower their colours.