Panama clip Jamaica
(Jamaica Observer)

Jamaican forward, Oniel McDonald (left), being impeded on one of his forward surges by Panamanian player, Franklin Delgado, during their friendly international match yesterday at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay. Panama won the encounter 1-0. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

THE proud unbeaten home record of the Jamaican national senior football team, finally came to an end yesterday when they were clipped 1-0 by Panama at Jarrett Park in a friendly international.

The all-important goal was scored by Roberto Brown, who ironically has Jamaican roots, in the 34th minute. As was the case for most of the game, the Jamaican defence was caught napping when a good pass from Mario Medina found Brown, who outsped the flat-footed Jamaican back four, and chipped the ball over the head of an advancing Aaron Lawrence in goal.

The Jamaicans thought they had found the equaliser minutes from the end, when a hard free kick by utility player, Onandi Lowe, was well-headed by Darren Moore into the back of the net. However, the assistant referee ruled it offside, a decision upheld by Trinidadian referee, Ramesh R
Ramdhan, amidst great protests.

Jamaica's new technical director, Sebastiao Lazaroni, admitted that there might have been selection problems, but he was quick to absolve himself of any blame.

"I have not seen any players. The team was chosen by my assistant coaches. They tell me that these are the best players."

He went on to say that given the short time between now and the World Cup qualifiers, he had no plans to look at any new players around the island, apart from the few practice matches that are planned.

In the end, when the final whistle was blown, the more organised team ended up the victors.

Milton Signs...

Harbour View midfielder, Milton Griffiths, has signed a three year contract with top German third division club, Eintract Braunschweig.

Griffiths who scored in two trial matches while in Germany has the option to renew in the third year of the contract.

He will receive accommodation, salary and performance incentives.

Harbour View the premier league champions, agreed to a free transfer initially, with a 40% share of the sell-on fee if Griffiths is transferred within the three years of his contract at Eintracht Braunschweig.

President of the Jamaica Football Federation, captain Horace Burrell, said that the game had to be cancelled because of the Nigerians' tardiness in the latter stages of the negotiations, which caused the organisers some concern.

In a game that will go ahead, the May 14 friendly against Panama at Jarrett Park will kick off at 4 o'clock.

The Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale will be the venue for the May 17 friendly against Romania and that starts at 8 o'clock.

The Reggae Boyz will then face Colombia at the Giants Stadium in New Jersey on May 27 before flying to Morocco to compete in the King Hassan Cup, where they will play alongside Japan and world champions, France, between May 31 and June 7.

The Jamaicans will then attend a training camp in Brazil between June 8 and 22, prior to the start of the World Cup campaign in July.

Jamaica's May 17 friendly international against seven-time world cup finalists, Romania, will be played in Miami due to the unavailability of the National Stadium.

The Jamaica Football Federation had already decided that Jarrett Park will host the May 14 friendly against Panama as work is being done on the stadium pitch and will not be available until May 31.

Marcus Gayle, Frank Sinclair, Walter Boyd, Theodore Whitmore, Darren Moore, Paul Hall and Deon Burton will join the for the team for the friendly.

Boyd out of Panama Friendly

...Swansea striker will miss match against Panama

WALTER Boyd's return to Jamaica's national football programme has been delayed by injury.

A torn right hamstring has not only cheated Jamaicans of another opportunity to see Boyd in action but has also restricted the opportunities of the Swansea striker to make an impression on new technical director/head coach, Sebastiao Lazaroni.

Boyd's injury was confirmed by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), through a press release, which was accompanied by a communiqué under the signature of Swansea's club secretary, Vicki Townsend. Swansea won promotion on Saturday last from the English third division to the second.

Despite the disappointment, Boyd was still upbeat. "It is going to be a long season and other opportunities will arise. I was really looking forward to playing in the national colours again and when that time comes -- yu dun know," he concluded.

Jamaica v. Japan	4-0
Jamaica v. Morocco	0-1
Jamaica v. Columbia	0-3
Jamaica v. Romania	0-0
Jamaica v. Panama	0-1
Jamaica v. USA	2-2
Jamaica v. Sweden	2-0
Jamaica v. Cuba*	2-0
Jamaica v. USA*	1-2

Jamaica Football Federation
FIFA
SLAM! Soccer
Sporting News Soccer
Planet Soccer
Only Soccer
Soccer TV
Planetfootball