More mature Bicknell ready for CONCACAF U20 challenge

FOLLOWING YEARS in Europe after a stint at schoolboy football with Mona High School, Alexander Bicknell is ready to play his part in Jamaica’s bid for FIFA U20 World Cup qualification.

Bicknell will be making his second appearance for Jamaica at a CONCACAF Men’s U20 Championship, earning his debut in 2022.

He said he is confident ahead of the tournament and considers it a privilege to be called up to the Jamaican squad yet again.

“Overall, it was an incredible experience to represent Jamaica for the first time and I was one of the youngest players on the team, so I took it as a great opportunity to learn as much as possible from the rest of my teammates and coaches,” he said.

Now coming into the tournament as one of the more experienced players, Bicknell is ready to banish the ghosts of the previous U20 championship.

Jamaica fell to the Dominican Republic at the quarterfinal stage, missing out on a spot in the U20 World Cup.

“The quarterfinals against Dominican Republic was definitely the most difficult defeat I’ve ever had to handle because we worked so hard to reach where we did. It really couldn’t have come any closer to qualifying for the U20 World Cup.”

Bicknell now plies his trade in Portugal with outfit Leixões SC.

The midfielder says his time overseas has brought him to a new level of maturity. He hopes he can bring that improvement to the national programme and be a spark for the team’s qualification chances.

He is also confident of the team’s ability despite the difficult opponents ahead.

“I think that I’ve matured a lot more as a player in the last few years playing in Europe. My awareness and movement have improved a lot and overall I have become a much more all-rounded player,” he said.

“I am very confident in the team’s abilities and I definitely think that we can compete against the other teams in our group. We’re aware that it won’t be easy, but I know that we have what it takes.”

Bicknell also said he believes the coaching staff has been excellent since their arrival.

Jerome Waite was appointed head coach earlier in March to replace John Wall, who was recalled to the senior programme.

Wall had led the team to an unbeaten run in the qualifiers for the championship. However, Bicknell said Waite’s impressive managerial career made him more than qualified to take charge.

“Jerome Waite is a great coach, who has achieved so much in his career and it has been great working with him. All of the players trust in him and the rest of the coaching staff, including Rudolph Austin and Wendell Downswell, which is very important for our success.

“There have been a few changes to the squad since the qualifiers in St Kitts but the core remains the same, and most if not all of us have played together before so we have a good understanding of each other going into the tournament.”

Jamaica’s first assignment is a fixture against the United States on Friday before facing Costa Rica, the following Monday.

The team will close out the group stage with a match against Cuba on Thursday, July 25.