Local players ready to perform in national colours

The Reggae Boyz squad of local-based players insist they are excited to represent the country in today’s international friendly against Trinidad and Tobago. The Boyz will be taking on the twin-island nation in the first of two friendlies at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 2 p.m. Jamaica time.

Justin Dunn, Tivoli Gardens’ main talisman this season in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL), said it has been his dream to play for Jamaica.

Dunn has been a source of goals for the west Kingston-based club and is currently joint first in the golden boot race with Waterhouse’s Javane Bryan, both on 11 goals for the season.

Dunn said he has been enjoying his time with the national team, and feels his selection has been a result of the hard work he has been putting in this season.

“I have always dreamt of this moment and it has finally arrived and I’m very excited about the work that I’ve been putting in the Jamaica Premier League and now I am getting the chance to represent the country so it’s an achievement that I will take.

“It was a good [training session], preparing for tomorrow. The boys are very excited and we cannot wait to play the match on Friday against Trinidad. The sessions were full of intensity. The players’ willingness is there and it’s been good vibes in the camp. The boys are very excited,” Dunn said.

Portmore United’s Alex Marshall makes his first return to the national set-up since his last appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Today’s match will be special for Marshall who made his debut for Jamaica in 2017 against the same opponents at the same venue. Back then, Jamaica defeated the Trinidadians 2-1 in a close contest and Marshall expects today’s game to be just as intense.

“Yeah, it was a close game, a 2-1 score and it went on to the final few minutes. I made a goal-saving tackle and it was an exciting feeling and I’m still grateful for the opportunity. It’s an international game and it’s always intense playing against Trinidad so it’s a good game to see what I need to improve on so hopefully it will be a good game for me and the team.”

Marshall said the preparations have been going well for the team and said head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has inspired a lot of confidence in the squad with his coaching tactics.

“It was a good training session,” he said. “I’m still learning and adjusting to the coach’s tactics and stuff like that, but it was fun. The first few days was a lot of information but he has given us that confidence that you’re not going to learn everything at once, but to make sure while in the training sessions you’re practising and still trying to do the stuff that we learnt.”

Following today’s match, Jamaica will face Trinidad and Tobago again for their second friendly on Sunday at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Trinidad.