Jackie Walters ... It is a good feeling being in anticipation of a dream coming true. - File

WHEN THE junior Reggae Boyz returned from St Vincent and the Grenadines last week, there was a notable figure in the touring party, Patrick 'Jackie' Walters.

He was the man who, along with Wendell Downswell and then national technical director Clovis de Oliviera, guided Jamaica's Under-20 team to its historic qualification to the 2001 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A man, who is respected locally for his contribution to the development of youth football in the country, Walters travelled with the team as a member of its technical staff and, along with head coach Donovan Duckie and assistant coach Lenworth Hyde Sr, guided Jamaica to playoff honours in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Finals stage, ahead of the hosts.

But what are his thoughts? What does he think about the chances of this year's unit and how would he compare the 2001 team with the present? Well, these questions were put to Walters and according to him, the dream is possible.

international practice

"I think we have a very good chance which would be greatly advanced if we could get some quality international practice matches," said Walters, while making clear reference to the 2001 campaign which, according to him, began from 1998, when as Under-17s the group toured Europe, the Americas and the United States and qualified to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which was held in New Zealand.

"You could not compare the preparation of the 2001 group to this year's, it's like cheese to chalk. In 2001 we had a longer process of preparation as most of the Under-17 players, who had been together from 1998, moved on to the Under-20," said Walters, who, in the Under-17 campaign was assistant to Dr Dean Weatherly and Walter Gama, whom he explained did the bulk of the work in the absence of Rene Simoes, who was busy preparing the senior Reggae Boyz.

Some of the players who Walters mentioned that made the transition from Under-17 to Under-20 and, as such, played a pivotal role in the team's performance were Keith Kelly, Shavar and Alex Thomas, Wolry Wolfe, Khari Stephenson, Fabian Dawkins, Christopher Nicholas and Alien Whittaker, whom he had very high praise for.

"In my estimation, goalkeepers are about 70 per cent of a team. One has to understand the significance of a quality goalkeeper in pressure situations and Alien Whittaker was a standout.

"So too, is the present goalkeeper in this squad, Andre Blake, who has shown that he has the capacity to cope with the requirements at this level," Walters said.

Walters also went on to explain some of the qualities of the present squad which he believes needs to work twice as hard as it did in St Vincent if it is to qualify for the World Cup in September.

goal-scoring ability

"The team possesses somebody like Dever Orgill, who has tremendous goal-scoring ability," said Walters, who also coaches Glenmuir High in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup.

"I think Davion Thorpe and Evan Taylor have demonstrated fighting spirit and doggedness in the midfield and our captain, Andre Darby, has demonstrated leadership abilities that are needed at this level," he said.

"Other players who have impressive skills and have a very bright future are midfielders Romario Campbell and Andre Steele."

But what is needed to make the difference in Trinidad and Tobago in March? Walters said good transitions, speed and heart.

"What is critical is that the team demonstrates qualities in terms of speed and reaction, which will assist us in terms of performance. That is our transition from defence to attack and our ability to exploit teams," said Walters, who explained the moment he realised the team had qualified for the 2001 World Cup, after drawing with Canada in Canada during their final playoff moment, was one of the happiest of his life.

Now, he says, it's almost the same.

"It is a good feeling being in anticipation of a dream coming true. One is looking forward to lending my experience to the group in anticipation of things working in our favour.

"It's not going to be easy. It's not beyond us. Some of the players in this group have demonstrated the capacity to be the real standardbearers of the team and some have the potential to go on to great things, even after the campaign," he said.