Jamaica Premier League champions Harbour View are back home after a 2-0 loss to the Caribbean All-Stars in their preseason overseas assignment in New York last weekend. The players will now be given sufficient rest and recreation time ahead of a training camp set to start on September 12.
Clyde Jureidini, the Harbour View Football Club general manager, said the outing was very encouraging despite the scoreline.
“The team had a good outing. We had already gone on a break, both mentally and physically, and came back for these two games. The result didn’t go our way, but we’re not disappointed by it; more importantly, it made the players feel rewarded to have international exposure.
“Some of the youngsters travelled for the first time, so it was good exposure. We’re thankful for the PFJL (Professional Football Jamaica Limited), the Victoria Mutual Group and the Griffin Group, who really helped us while on tour,” said Jureidini.
The fixture, which was set to give players a taste of international football on foreign soil, was also used to give the coaching and management staff an insight as to where the team is, and where they needed to be, as the ‘Stars of the East’ go in search of their sixth title when the the Jamaica Premier League kicks off next month.
“We enjoyed the fun, and we enjoyed playing entertaining football. At the moment, rest and recreation for the youngsters, then get to preseason, the coaches and technical staff will build it from there,” Jureidini added. Harbour View were also due to play Antigua GFC of Guatemala on August 26 at the Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, Connecticut, but that game was postponed until next year.
Heading into the new season, Jureidini confirmed that the team will be in business before the transfer window closes, to bolster their chances to defend their title.
“Every year in football is a different year. Every game is a different game. We have had discussions with a few players who we’re looking to include in our squad going forward. Also, we have players from our trials who the coaches will continue to look at, to see who will be selected ahead of the transfer window deadline later this week. We also have to get our preparations back in order, and refocus on the new season, scheduled to start on October 23, and see how it goes from there,” the Harbour View general manager stated.
Jureidini said there will also be a move to boost the sales of team merchandise as they look to “improve the visibility of players, both locally and internationally” prior to the new season.
orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com
