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In shape Jamaica soccer coach says players fit for World Cup
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) -- Jamaican national soccer team coach Clovis de Oliveira on Wednesday dismissed questions about the fitness of his players ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifying match in Kingston against the United States. Local reporters had questioned the team's ability to perform in the hot Caribbean temperatures after the long English season, because the Reggae Boyz roster has four England-born players and several others who play for English league teams. "Some of them [the players] ended their season a few weeks ago, but they...should not lose their fitness in one week," said Oliveira. "The weather is going to be tough, but it is going to be five times worse for the opponents." The questions about fitness arose after two English-born players -- Fitzroy Simpson and Jamie Lawrence -- were substituted during a friendly match against Cuba on Sunday, when the Reggae Boyz won 4-1. England-born players Barry Hayles and Frank Sinclair are also on the roster. In Jamaica, foreign-born players of Jamaican descent are allowed to play for the national team. Others on the roster who are Jamaican-born play in the English leagues. Ricardo Gardener plays for Bolton and Ian Goodison plays for Hull City. Jamaica's starting eleven was not expected to be announced until Friday. The U.S. leads the six-team round robin CONCACAF qualifying group with nine points after three games. Jamaica is in fourth place with four points and has managed only two goals. The top three teams will qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan.
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