Hall hopeful
Reggae Boyz coach cautiously optimistic that goalkeeper Blake will be back for clash with Mexico
Published:Saturday | June 11, 2022 | 12:09 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
National senior men’s interim head coach Paul Hall says that he is cautiously optimistic about goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake’s availability for next Tuesday’s Concacaf Nations League clash with Mexico at the National Stadium.
Blake has missed the last two games because of an undisclosed injury picked up in the warm-up of the Reggae Boyz League A opener against Suriname in Paramaribo last Saturday. Harbour View’s Amal Knight deputised in goal in the game where they drew 1-1 and defender Damion Lowe has taken over on-field captain duties in his stead. Knight continued in goal as Jamaica defeated Suriname 3-1 in their return game on Tuesday.
While he did not reveal the extent of the injury, Hall said after the game that he is hoping that he will have the services of Blake, hoping that he will have enough time to recover.
“He was just unable to play. I will leave it at that. He sent me a text today (Tuesday),” Hall said. “I hope that he will be available for the next game. It is still very early days. I wouldn’t like to speculate on a time schedule. But we hope that he can come back stronger and vie for that place.”
The last time that Blake missed national team duty because of an injury was in 2015 when he did not play in the Copa America tournament because of a torn meniscus. Blake played the entirety of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. Despite the unavailability of their captain, Hall praised the performance of Knight who he said gave them stability in the net.
“I really do feel that Knight has done a great job in his (Blake’s) absence in a difficult time. He has stepped in and he’s got some valuable experience,” Hall said.
Knight was on the receiving end of criticism as his own goal in the first game against Suriname forced Jamaica to settle for a 1-1 draw. However, he said that it didn’t take him long to refocus and believes that he is prepared to continue marshalling net if he is needed on Tuesday.
“That is what I am here to do. The coaches know what I can do, they have seen me in training every day, and I think that’s why I am here,” Knight said. “So if I am called upon next week I will be ready again.”
Jamaica currently lead the group with four points while Suriname are in second place with one point. Mexico are yet to open their Nations League campaign.