Rudolph Austin is the new Reggae Boyz sensation and one of the key players to watch when the Jamaica National Football Senior team takes to the field at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex tomorrow and Sunday.
Austin, 22, is part of the Reggae Boyz squad that arrived yesteday for a week long training camp here.
His brilliance continues to draw attention virtually every time he plays for his club in Europe.
This lanky former Portmore United midfielder is a past student of Clarendon College in Clarendon where he played schoolboy football. He made his debut recently donning the colours of FC Brann in Norway and has been playing extremely well.
FC Brann is one of the biggest clubs in Norway in terms of public interest. High expectations are always placed on this club every season.
FC Brann won their first Norwegian Premier League titles in 1961/62 and 1963, but after this FC Brann was involved in the race for the league title only in seasons 1974-76, 1990 and 2006. In 2007, they reclaimed the league title after 44 years out in the cold.
Austin is well remembered for the goal he scored from 40 yards out in a friendly game between Jamaica and El Salvador earlier this year when the Reggae Boyz won 3-0.
Austin is joined by other overseas player Omar Cummings who plays Major League Soccer for Colorado Rapids and the other best players in the squad are Roland Dean of Tivoli, Ricardo Cousins and Shawn Sawyers of Portmore United, Jermaine Hue of Harbour View and Desmond Breakenridge of Arnett Gardens.
They will all definitely make an impression on the football community here.
According to assistant coach Vin Blaine, Austin is a great midfielder and with youth in his favour he will be drawing a lot of attention as he pursues his career overseas.
‘He kicks hard and has great shooting ability outside the box,’ Blaine said. ‘He is tall and strong, I expect a lot from him in his role as a player on the national team and else where.’
This training camp, the first under the directions of the Jamaican-born and former England international player John Barnes, will form part of the preparations for the Reggae Boyz team leading into the Digicel Caribbean Championship finals which will be hosted in Jamaica from December 1-15.
The Reggae Boyz party consist of a 30-member delegation are particularly keen to impress the coaches because the England-based players will not be available for the tournament.
* The Cayman v Jamaica matches are on Wednesday 5 November and Sunday 9 November at Truman Bodden Sports Complex at 7pm.
Tickets are on sale at the following places; all Western Union outlets, Funky Tang, Captain’s Bakery, Latin Taste and Digicel in Camana Bay.
Tickets for the Wednesday game are $15, and for Sunday’s game at $20 for grandstand seats and $15 for uncovered seating.
Tickets for Sunday’s game are assigned according to Gate, Block, Row and Seat number, so they should be purchased early to avoid the last minute rush as the game might be sold out.
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