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Newly minted Jamaica international and Aberdeen defender Greg Leigh admits he’s eager to prove his worth as the reggae boyz seeks a return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 22 years next summer.
Leigh made his national team debut against Saudi Arabia last week, taking part in both the 3-0 loss and the 2-1 win. The 26-year-old made a good impression on the full-back and is already keen to be a part of future games.
The games were the first for the national team after a month-long hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic. There is little time left to pave the way, however, as the Jamaicans have their sights set on a big year in 2021 that will include participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but above all will mark the start of the team’s World Cup qualification campaign.
“We have World Cup qualifiers in June and then straight into the Gold Cup in July. In the World Cup group we have Costa Rica, Mexico and the USA, ”Leigh told The Press and Journal.
« In March there is another trip to Catalonia. Hopefully I can play well enough to stay on track, « he added.
« It would mean playing all of next summer, but that is something to consider if you want to play international football.
« The prospect of participating in a World Cup is above all else, it would be a huge deal. I want to make a commitment and do everything I can to help us get there. ”
Kraigg Brathwaite completed a double century on the second day of his warm-up match against the New Zealand A in Queenstown when the West Indies went to lunch on 463 for 4.
During the break, Brathwaite was unbeaten with 235 and Shane Dowrich with 19. So far, the pair have added 34 runs for the fifth wicket of nine overs.
Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood, 19 overnight, continued his score from 183 overnight and the West Indies 353 for 3, pushing the score to 429 when the latter was bowled by Rachin Ravindra for 53.
Blackwood scored his 82-ball runs in his 115-minute stint on the crease during which he hit four fours. Together, the pair, who got together at 322 for 3, put 107 runs in 27. 1 overs as the West Indies continued to build on their massive sum.
The top divisions in Spain and France will pay tribute to Diego Maradona before each game this weekend.
All games in the Spanish LaLiga and the Segunda Division on the coming match day will be preceded by a minute’s silence, the organizers of the competition said in a statement.
LaLiga said the pre-game honors would offer condolences to « his family, friends and all fans around the world who remember him ». .
Maradona spent two seasons with Barcelona, who face Osasuna at home on Saturday, before returning to LaLiga with Sevilla in 1992.
Flags were hoisted at half-mast at Barca’s Camp Nou stadium on Thursday, the day the 1986 World Cup winner was retired in Argentina.
In France, the pre-match protocols for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 will see « extraordinary » changes this weekend as a token of respect for Maradona.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said: « At this moment of great sadness for football, the LFP, the clubs and the UNFP (the French football union) wanted this 12th. Matchday under the star of Diego Maradona. «
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary Dalton Wint has alleged the unusual situations arising from the coronavirus pandemic made the association’s planning efforts for the recent trip to Saudi Arabia difficult.
The JFF has been heavily criticized by head coach Theodore Whitmore, team captain Damion Lowe and many others for a variety of issues encountered on the team’s Middle East tour. Issues included player unavailability due to coronavirus testing, unpaid gaming fees, and incorrect seat reservations.
However, in the JFF’s reasoning, Wint pointed out the specificity of the current situation regarding travel and the restrictions caused by the pandemic.
« We thought we were at a stage where the proposals should be signed, but unfortunately they came back with some concerns. I think part of it was reasonable because they were in an environment that wasn’t common and where the gaming fees that we generally agree to because we traveled to Saudi Arabia during the COVID pandemic, who got the subject under control again, ”said Wint in a recent interview with SportsMax Zone.
While insisting on understanding the coach’s situation as some key members of the squad were not available in time for the first game, Wint pointed out that the JFF was in some ways in unknown territory.
« During the COVID era, this is not a perfect situation. You will encounter things that you have never encountered. The fact is we had players who were days late because the flights had to be changed, they had to repeat their COVID tests and all different problems because the borders were closed on the left right and in the center. «
The Jamaica national team lost their first game 3-0 before winning the second game 2-1.
Carlos Brathwaite, West Indies Cricket Team, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, One Day International, Test Cricket, Twenty20, New Zealand, Jermaine Blackwood, Jamaica Football Association
World news – USA – Aberdeen defender Leigh hopes to find a way into plans for the World Cup in Jamaica
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