Tranmere Rovers
Gambia Out of World Cup 2010 but Jamaica Battle On
By Deadly Submarine
October 16 2008
After a week of International matches we take a look at how Tranmere’s two current internationals fared as their Countries continued their quest to reach the 2010 World Cup Finals which takes place in South Africa. For one player it wasn’t good news but for the other there might be a brighter outlook.
As Tranmere took on Millwall at Prenton Park last Saturday afternoon, two of their first-team regulars instead found themselves in a different part of the world as their respective nations continued their bids to reach the Finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Defender Ian Goodison and winger Edrissa Sonko were in the Jamaica and Gambia squads respectively for the weekend matches and whilst one player returned home having failed to reach the 2010 World Cup, the other knows his side still have a chance of reaching that big stage in two years time.
Sonko's Gambia Failed to Reach the 2010 World Cup
Edrissa Sonko was an unused substitute as Gambia held Senegal to a 1-1 draw in Dakar on Saturday - a result which meant that both teams failed to make it through to the third and final qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup.
Senegal took a 65th minute lead but with just five minutes remaining Gambia equalised but the result was not enough to send Rovers' Sonko a step closer to the World Cup Finals.
For Ian Goodison and Jamaica, who have former Liverpool and England midfielder John Barnes taking over as Coach at the start of November, the news was better after two 1-0 home wins in the space of five days.
Last Saturday the Reggae Boys defeated Mexico 1-0 Kingston thanks to a first half goal from Ricardo Fuller before then defeating Honduras by the same scoreline, again in Kingston after Luton Shelton, who is Jamaica's top scorer, netted early in the game.
Better News though for Ian Goodison and Jamaica
Ian Goodison featured in the full 90 minutes of both matches for Jamaica and was clearly missed by Tranmere against Millwall on Saturday. The two wins this week leave Jamaica in third place in the Group behind Mexico and Honduras.
In order to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals, Jamaica must defeat Mexico at home on November 19th and hope that Mexico beat Honduras.
The fact that this game is midweek, may mean Rovers don't miss the services of their influential defender for the games at home to Southend Unite and awya at Yeovil but this remains uncertain.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
16/10/2008 23:05
