Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Cousins

National Under-20 captain and central midfielder Ricardo Cousins has big dreams. And, his dreams of representing Jamaica at the senior level in the World Cup qualifying campaign, and, hopefully, the World Cup Finals in South Africa in 2010 may become a reality if his plans of wooing technical director of Jamaica's national football programme, René Simoes, are properly executed.

"I have been working hard over the years while hoping that someone would see my performance and give me a chance," Cousins said.

"Simoes says he has been looking at me from I played at the Pan American Games. I will continue to work hard and not by promises, but to work my way into the team. The next friendly game on February 6 (against Costa Rica), I think I will be given a chance to represent my country at the National Stadium. I will try and make use of it and make my debut," he said.

Impressive performance

Cousins, who led Jamaica's Under-20 Reggae Boyz at last year's Pan-Am Games in Brazil, helped to create history as Jamaica became only the second Caribbean nation to win a silver medal in the 56-year history of the quadrennial competition.

Jamaica lost 1-2 to Ecuador in the final after knocking off Haiti (4-0), Argentina (2-0), Colombia (1-0) and Mexico (5-4 on penalties).

After his performance during these games, Simoes, a Brazilian native who was home at the time, singled him out as one for the future.

"I may be impressed with a particular player here and then I go to another game and I see a better performance from another player. So, it's too close to call at this time," Simoes said.

However, Linval Dixon, former Reggae Boyz defender and currently coach of Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL) second-place club, Portmore United, Cousins' home team for the last three years, was confident that he would be drafted into the national squad.

"Cousins is a prospect for the national team. He is an extremely good all-round player and his chances of making it into the national squad are great. He has good qualities, not only as a player, but also as an individual," Dixon said.

Looking to rebound

Cousins, who was also the captain of Glenmuir High's winning daCosta Cup team in 2004, actually led the pack in the CPPL earlier this season with six goals, but fell back after sustaining a knee injury.

"I have been out for two games because of injury, but I am looking to rebound on Sunday and try to get back in the numbers," he said. "I play in the midfield and most of the goalscorers that are above me in the standings are forwards. I feel that if I had played the last two games I would be on the same level or above them."