JERSEY’S men’s football team have drawn a tough opening group in the NatWest Rhodes Island Games next month with matches against Gibraltar and newcomers Menorca.
But Jersey ladies, who play Chelsea ladies twice at Springfield this weekend, have missed the anticipated big guns in their group and face the Isle of Wight and newcomers Prince Edward Island.
The men’s team manager, Dave Kennedy, said: ‘Looking at the four groups, I think we’ve been drawn in the hardest.
But that’s the draw and we will get on with it.
‘If we want to win the competition we have to beat good sides.
Hosts Rhodes will no doubt be favourites, and we’re looking forward to the challenge of all the matches, no matter who we have to play.’ Jersey, who are unaware of any seeding procedure, will have to win their group to progress to the semi-finals.
If they do, they will meet Ynys Mon, Aland or Bermuda.
‘The players have resumed training again this week after winning the Muratti and on 2 and 3 June we have games lined up at Springfield to play French club Mondeville,’ added Kennedy.
‘They should be perfect matches for us in our build-up towards Rhodes, and it will also be a good opportunity to look at all 20 squad players in match situations.’ Mondeville are a feeder club for French Ligue 2 Normandy-based club Caen.
The Jersey ladies’ manager, Kevin Miller, said: ‘I’m delighted with the draw.
I’m really happy to avoid teams like Gotland, Aland and Greenland.
This will be the third time we’ve met the Isle of Wight in our group, and from memory we’ve won before 4-0 and 4-1.
Prince Edward Island we know nothing about, as they are new to the Island Games arena.
‘I’m confident we can win our group and reach the semi-finals.
Our first game is on the opening Saturday morning and the next is on the Monday evening.
That allows us a full rest day and an opportunity to look at our other opponents.
‘If the schedule is correct on the Rhodes website, we could play Guernsey if we get through to the semi-final.
It’s either Guernsey, the Western Islands or Bermuda, which again keeps us away from the Scandinavian teams.’ Jersey ladies face Chelsea at Springfield in two warm-up games for Rhodes this weekend, both kicking off at 1 pm.
Miller said that striker Suzanne Rosser and utility player Kerry Sauvage will not be involved, as both are out of the Island.
Goalkeeper Krystle Matthews, who missed Jersey’s Muratti win through injury, will not be involved either - she will not be risked, having returned to light training following a back injury.
Article posted on 22nd May, 2007 - 12.00am
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