International Games for QPR's Damion Stewart and Nick Ward

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Damion Stewart played the second half for Jamaica against Chile (which Jamaica lost 0-1: Chile getting their goal before Stewart started playing! And Nick Ward scored for Australia in the team's 4-0 in Jordan in an Olympics Qualifying Game

Jamaica Observer Boyz impress Bora despite loss to Chile
By Ian Burnett Sports Editor Thursday, June 07, 2007

Technical director Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic has expressed satisfaction with the manner in which his Reggae Boyz handled themselves against Chile in their 0-1 friendly loss at the National Stadium on Tuesday night.

A 19th minute strike from forward Juan Gonzalo Lorca was enough to down the Boyz, but Bora and a number of spectators left the National Stadium upbeat with the vastly-improved performance of the team.
"We need to think of the future of the Jamaican team, so I am happy with the way the team played," Bora told reporters at game's end.

"...the last 15 minutes we played with seven players from the Olympic team and for us this is (an) excellent way for building the team - the Olympic team and the senior team.
"First half-time, second half- time we got occasions to score goal, but we don't score goals, but what is important is that they played the way I like."

The Boyz, in front of a fairly decent-sized crowd, were off to a promising start with midfielder Nicholy Finlayson shooting wide from just outside the penalty area in the fourth minute, after a good build-up.

The locals were still expressing themselves positively, but coughed up an opportunity on 13 minutes when Matias Fernandez, from Spain's Villareal FC, crashed a grounder against Richard McCallum's right hand post.

That was a warning the Boyz failed to heed, and six minutes later, Lorca was on hand to ram home from an acute angle after a swift counter attack on Jamaica's left side.
But the Boyz kept hitting back and Luton Shelton, who was a thorn in the Chileans' side, slammed a right-footer against Nicolas Peric's cross bar.

And just before the break, an unchallenged captain, Donald Stewart, turned a right-sided cross over the top from close range.
The second half petered out somewhat with Bora employing eight changes to Chile's four, but Fabian Taylor had a grand opportunity to pull his team level just after the hour mark.

The build-up was superb. It involved a number of players on both sides of the field and it appeared deliberate. With the ball moving sweetly from side-to-side, it ended on the left with Demar Phillips, who had a good game, sweeping the ball deep into the penalty area to Taylor, who headed down into the welcoming arms of Peric from six yards.
Also, McCallum was forced into a brilliant reflex save at the death as Chile pushed forward on the counter attack.

"I know the public likes to win, if somebody likes to win, I do. But I hope you understand what is the difference between winning the game and being winners. We need to prepare the team to be winners," reasoned Bora.

"The other game (against Panama) we drew 1-1, so first it is very important who you play, how you play, your concentration, occasions to score goals, if you play intelligent... everything was okay," said Bora.
"We don't score goals, we had occasions, but what is important is that many young players played for the first time, but we need to give them opportunity to play.

"Now is the moment, but when it comes closer to qualification games I need to make decision to see who will go to play. Normally people speak of players outside the country, but you see our players how they played and I am very happy. I don't like to mention names, but Swaby (Mario) and Taylor (Fabian) they played a great game, they did not receive a goal, but it's not important.

"They're (scoring chances) not important, but what is important is to create the chance. But the problem is if you don't create the chance, what (are) you going to do?
"Today we miss, but the day that we need to score we are going to score. No problem."

Bora added: "We need to hold possession of the ball, for example, today (Tuesday) my team made three, four actions incredible, good, we don't score the goal. If he kicked a little to right it would have (been) a goal, but it was excellent action. But more important was the attitude they have when they don't score goal."
The technical boss also addressed questions about the overseas-based players.

"Just now I need to see the players, nobody's eliminated, all players of Jamaica have chance, they just need to play how we are training.
Jamaica - Richard McCallum, Jermaine Taylor (Damion Stewart 46th), Christopher Harvey, Mario Swaby (Wolry Wolfe 46th), Lovel Palmer (Xavian Virgo 81st), Donald Stewart (Richard Edwards 46th - Mario Harrison 90th), Nicholy Finlayson (Keneil Moodie 66th), Demar Phillips, Fabian Davis (Sean Fraser 69th), Ricardo Fuller (Fabian Taylor 58th), Luton Shelton.

Subs not used: Allien Whittaker, Adrian Reid, Donovan Davis.
Booked: Donald Stewart (45th)
Chile - Nicolas Peric, Ismael Fuentes, Jorge Vargas (Rodrigo Melendez), Jose Luis Cabron, Gonzalo Fierro (Carlos Villanueva 78th), Arturo Vidal, Arturo Sanhueza, Matias Fernandez, Jorge Valdivia, Julio Guitierrez (Alvaro Ormeno 66th), Juan Gonzalo Lorca (Manuel Iturra 90th).
Subs not used: Claudio Bravo, Sebastian Roco, Luis Jimenez, Roberto Guitierrez
Referee: Jose Rivas (Nicaragua)
Assistant Referees: Rohan Thorbourne, Garnet Page (Jamaica)
Fourth Official: Dave Peterkin (Jamaica)
Match Commissary: Charles Barrett (Jamaica)
Jamaica Observer

Qantas Under 23s qualify for final stage
The Qantas Under 23s have progressed to the third and final stage of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Jordan in Amman overnight.

After a tight first half the Australian side completed dominated the second period with goals from David Williams (2), Nick Ward and Dario Vidosic.

The Australian side went into the match knowing a draw would guarantee progression to the next stage of qualifying which commences in August. Australia finished the group on eleven points with Iran concluding their matches with five points after a final match 3-2 defeat at home to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia won the group on 15 points with Jordan finishing on two points.

Following the scoreless first half, the Qantas Under 23s took the lead in the 54th minute when Brondby-based striker David Williams was able to finish off a neat one-two passing move with Bruce Djite. The Australians lead was doubled in the 68th minute when substitute Nick Ward headed home a David Williams corner.

David Williams sealed the match five minutes later when he beat the Jordanian offside-trap and slotted home his one-on-one opportunity past the advancing opposition goalkeeper.

The match was point beyond doubt when Dario Vidosic hit a stinging right-footed shot from outside the box during injury time that rocketed into the top-right corner to give the Qantas Under 23s a memorable 4-0 victory and a place in the final stage of qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The third stage features 12 teams split into three groups and will be held from August 22 - November 21, with only the three group winners representing Asia at the Beijing Olympic Games. The draw for the third stage of qualifying will take place next Wednesday 13th June in Kuala Lumpur at AFC House. Report