In the year 2008 Jamaica football had it’s highs and lows. Though the Reggae Boyz did not get pass the first qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup the year ended with a championship and a move up in the world rankings. Here is a chronological summary of the Reggae Boyz Year in Review for 2008 compiled from the Thereggaeboyz.com.
January 1
The Sponsorship of Jamaica’s then National Premier League (NPL) was put in jeopardy when the title sponsor Cash Plus Limited, was issued with a ‘cease and desist’ order by the Financial Services Commission (FSC).
January 7
Professor René Simoes returned to Jamaica to begin his second stint as technical director of the Football Federation (JFF). Simoes arrived at the Norman Manley Inter-national Airport, accompanied by JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, his daughter, and Chico Santos a Brazilian coach who will be working with Simoes. His contract made him technical director for all national teams, including the female team.
February 6
After dominating for most of the game Jamaica had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 tie with Costa Rica in their friendly international at the National Stadium in Jamaica. A powerful header by Tyrone Marshall from a Marlon King pass in extra time was the goal that kept technical director Rene Simoes from a losing start in his first game back with The Reggae Boyz.
March 26
The much anticipated clash between the Caribbean’s football heavyweights, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, ended in a 2-2 draw in their friendly international at the National Stadium in Jamaica.
April 12
With the revelation that Jamaica’s Premier League Football sponsor Cash Plus Limited is bankrupt and unable to repay investors, the chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), Edward Seaga, announced the termination of the agreement between the PLCA and Cash Plus for sponsorship of the National Premier League Competition.
April 27
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) led by president Captain Horace Burrell, was successful in securing a deal for all nine men’s and women’s teams as they inked a two-year sponsorship deal with Italian sporting manufacturing company, Kappa, in Turin, Italy. The US$1.77m kit sponsorship includes a signing fee, bags, apparel, footwear and cash incentives depending on qualification to the World Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
June 2
Technical director Rene Simoes found a good combination and formation for the Reggae Boyz as they defeated St Vincent and the Grenadines 5-1 in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Jamaica
June 8
A penalty in the 90th minute helped Jamaica snatch a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago in their friendly international at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
June 11
The Reggae Boyz suffered an embarrassing 2-1 loss to 143rd ranked Grenada at the National Stadium in St George’s, Grenada. Jamaica’s technical director Rene Simoes expressed disappointment in his team’s performance and the shocking defeat of the much fancied Reggae Boyz.
June 16
The Reggae Boyz got their 2010 South Africa World Cup campaign off to an explosive start as they destroyed the Bahamas 7-0 at the National Stadium. The almost capacity crowd had a lot to cheer about in the first leg of the encounter with the Bahamas as the Reggae Boyz delivered goals from captain Ricardo Gardner (17th), Demar Phillips (23rd), Marlon King (34th), Omar Daley (89th), Andy Williams (75th) and two from Luton Shelton (51st and 66th).
June 18
The Reggae Boyz advanced into the next phase of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Series when they defeated the Bahamas 6-0 in their second-leg encounter at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium on Wednesday. The win against the 167th-ranked Caribbean team, combined with huge 7-0 advantage recorded in the first leg over the weekend, means that the Reggae Boyz with a 13-0 aggregate scoreline, will advance to semi-final phase.
July 27
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, using only four starters from the squad that easily won their early round World Cup qualifying tie last month, held off a spirited El Salvador 0-0 in their friendly international at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas on Saturday. Technical director Rene Simoes used the game to provide exposure to a number of players as he continued his search for players to make up his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign against Canada.
August 20
The REGGAE Boyz got off to a good start in the semi-final-round campaign with a 1-1 draw against Canada in their Group Two CONCACAF World Cup qualifier at BMO Field in Canada. A 47th minute goal by Julian de Guzman put Canada into the lead while Jamaica’s Andy Williams equalised with a curling right-side corner to silence the home crowd in the 52nd minute. The game was the first in this phase of the qualifying series, which consists of three groups of four teams playing on a home and away basis.
September 6
First half goals from Andres Guardado and Fernando Arce led Mexico to an easy 3-0 victory over Jamaica on Saturday, securing El Tri’s lead atop Group B in the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Mexico took the lead in the third minute and the early goal put Jamaica on the defensive as Mexico took control of the match it dominated before it’s home crowd at Azteca Stadium.
September 11
Second-half goals by Ramon Nunez and Amado Guevara pushed Honduras t a 2-0 win over Jamaica in their Group B semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. The defeat left Jamaica at the bottom of the table with one point and behind Canada on goal difference.
September 12
THE JAMAICA Football Federation’s (JFF) SACKED national technical director René Simoes of his duties following the 2-0 loss to Honduras. Poor result in recent qualifying games were listed as the reason to fire Simoes and his assistants Alfredo Montesso, Chico Santos, Walter Gama and his son, Luciano.
September 17
The JFF announced the appointment of former England International and Jamaican born, Mr. John Barnes as the new National Coach for the Senior Football Team. Mr. Barnes will be in charge of the preparation of the national team for the Digicel Caribbean Cup (DCC) between December 1 to 15, the CONCACAF Gold Cup scheduled for June 2009, and the Final Round World Cup Qualifiers in 2009.
October 11
A 14th minute goal from Ricardo Fuller gave Jamaica a 1-0 victory over Mexico in their make-or-break CONCACAF World Cup Semi-Final round qualifier at the National Stadium. It was only the second time in 19 career meetings that Jamaica has been victorious over their CONCACAF opponent.
October 15
Following the shocking 1-0 win over Mexico, Jamaica repeated the performance with a 1-0 win against Honduras to keep their hopes alive in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. The Reggae Boyz two consecutive home wins came under interim coach Theodore Whitmore who replaced Rene Simoes and propelled Jamaica into third place with seven points, with Honduras on 9 and Mexico on 10 points.
November 5
New national coach John Barnes was a satisfied man following Jamaica’s 6-1 win over a Cayman Islands All-Star team at the Truman Bodden Stadium on Wednesday Night in their first of two games during a one-week training camp on the island.
November 19
Goals by Luton Shelton, Marlon King and Omar Cummings gave Jamaica a 3:0 win over Canada on Wednesday in a failed attempt by the Reggae Boyz to advance to the final phase of World Cup qualifying. Honduras won the group with 12 points with Mexico and Jamaica tied on ten. Mexico advanced over Jamaica on goal difference.
December 2
The Reggae Boyz pulled off a come from behind 2-1 win over Barbados in their opening game of the Digicel Caribbean Championships at the National Stadium
December 5
Host Jamaica took a step closer to securing a place in the semi-finals of the Digicel Caribbean Cup after beating Grenada 4-0 in their Group A game at Jarrett Park. Jamaica now tops the Group with six points from two wins ahead of Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada on three points each.
December 7
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz played to a 1-1 draw with rivals Trinidad and Tobago to win Group A and advanced to the semi-finals of the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Digicel Caribbean Championship. The Group win also qualifies Jamaica for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
December 11
The Reggae Boyz scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 victory over 10-man Guadeloupe and booked their place in the final of the Digicel Caribbean Championships. Jamaica and Grenada will meet in the final.
December 14
Two penalties by Luton Shelton in both halves helped Jamaica to capture their fourth regional title as they defeated Grenada 2-0 in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Digicel Caribbean Championship at the National Stadium last night.For winning the title, the Reggae Boyz walked away with the Championship trophy and US$120,000 (J$8.5m), while Grenada received US$70,000 for their runner-up spot.
About the Author
P. Brown is the operator thereggaeboyz.com which is the most provocative, engaging, informative and entertaining site on Jamaican football
