ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada, CMC:
JAMAICA, 1998 World Cup Finals qualifiers, tackle Grenada in a friendly international at the National Stadium today - a year after the talented Windward Islands side beat them in a similar friendly.
Both teams are preparing for important Gold Cup qualifying matches with the Jamaicans yet to start their programme.
Last year, Jamaica - on their way home from a winless run at the St. Kitts football Festival - crashed to a 2-0 defeat against the Grenadians.
The Jamaicans were without their World Cup players on that tour and although they are again missing most of their top flight players, they are back with several players from the squad that lost here a year ago including goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence, defender Marco McDonald and midfielders Omar Daley, Fabian Taylor and Damion Williams.
But coach Carl Brown is playing down the revenge angle. He said the focus was more on building and improving strategy ahead of more important assignments.
"I believe every Caribbean game is one to use to help to develop football in the region, I will always remember the games we have lost, but more importantly, I believe we have talent to help each other," Brown said.
The Grenadians are halfway through their opening Gold Cup qualifying assignment, having defeated St. Martin 8-3 in a high-scoring game in a first-leg match here last month, when substitute Dennis Rennie scored five goals.
Grenada, rated ninth in the Caribbean and 138th in the world, maintained their prolific scoring this week in trouncing Taiwan 5-2 in a friendly, with two goals each from Finbar Williams and Miguel Wharwood.
They have some injury concerns coming off their mid-week win but coach Franklyn Simpson is confident they can handle the Jamaicans.
"I think it's going to be a good game. Tactically, I believe that Grenada is ready to match anybody in the region," Simpson said.
Squads: Jamaica - Aaron Lawrence, Donovan Ricketts, Marco McDonald, Claude Davis, Shavar Thomas, Fabian Davis, Oneil Dunn, Kirk Hendricks, Irvino English, Omar Daley Fabian Taylor, Damion Williams, Fabian Dawkins, Johnathon Williams, Dahmani Ralph, Roen Nelson, Kevin Wilson, Shelton Palmer.
Grenada - Kellon Baptiste, Anthony Modeste, Ricky Charles, Franklyn Baptiste, Brian Benjamin, Dennis Rennie, Kennedy Phillip, Chris Bain, Ian Andrew, Finbar Williams, Patrick Modeste, Tyrone John, Ashton Henry, Miguel Wharwood, Henderson Ettienne, Desmond Noel, Kenny Phillip, Wayne Barry.
