BELL...I went through the rough patch, and I'm now feeling good. I'm in good spirits and ready to go.
After a challenging spell on the sidelines, England-born Reggae Boyz defender Amari’i Bell is back with the national team and is already setting his sights on greater success.
Bell, a seasoned fullback who has been a key figure for Jamaica, is thrilled to rejoin his teammates and play under new head coach Steve McClaren, with their first assignment being the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League.
The Reggae Boyz are set to host Cuba at the National Stadium on Friday before travelling to face Honduras four days later.
Bell, who missed significant time for both club and country due to a torn hamstring for which he had to do a repair surgery, expressed his excitement about returning to the Jamaican squad.
“It feels amazing to be back; it's been a long time now, but, you know, I'm happy to be here. It’s been tough being away from the pitch, and it was a big injury, one of my first of my career, so mentally it was hard to get back in a good place. But I went through the rough patch, and I'm now feeling good. I'm in good spirits and ready to go,” Bell shared.
“Like I said, it was a long time out and I had my ups and downs through the rehab process, but towards the end of it, I started to see the light a lot more and, yeah, mentally, my head is in a much better place,” he added.
Bell’s return comes at a crucial time for Jamaica, as they aim to build on their third-place finish in the last edition of the Concacaf Nations League.
The team’s performance was commendable, but Bell believes they have the potential to go all the way this time around, particularly with the guidance of McClaren, who brings a wealth of experience to the team.
McClaren, who has managed clubs in England’s Premier League and served as an assistant coach for the England national team, is known for his tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players.
“Yeah, for sure, for sure. Finishing third was a strong result, but we know we have the ability to do even better, so the plan is to go one step better this time and win it. That's the plan, and there's no reason why we can't do it. Everybody believes in ourselves and what we can do. So, yeah, we're going to go for it,” Bell said.
With his presence, Bell, who has 17 international caps since making his debut in 2021, adds depth and experience to Jamaica’s defensive line, a critical component as they aim to stifle the opposition in what promises to be a highly competitive tournament.
The 30-year-old’s ability to balance defensive duties with attacking support makes him a vital asset to the team’s ambitions.
“We’ve been building something special with this group. The chemistry is there, and the belief is growing. We know that winning the Nations League is a realistic goal, and we’re all committed to making it happen. We didn't do well in the Copa America as we thought we could have, but it's stepping stones,” Bell, who has two Concacaf Gold Cup and a Copa America appearance, noted.
For Bell, the opportunity to lift the Concacaf Nations League trophy would be a career-defining moment, much like it was when his club Luton Town earned promotion to the English Premier League (EPL).
Though his EPL experience was cut short due to the injury, Bell is eager to relive the experience.
“Yeah, man, that (Premier League experience) was amazing. It is something that everyone aspires to do in their career, and, you know, thankfully I got there. Unfortunately, it was cut short by the injury, so I still feel like I've got unfinished business there, and the aim with Luton is to get back promoted,” Bell declared.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Colombia 2-1 Argentina: James penalty avenges Copa America final loss
Colombia gained a measure of revenge for their Copa America final loss to Argentina by beating the Albiceleste 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Barranquilla.
Nestor Lorenzo's side approached Tuesday's clash at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez five points adrift of their opponents in the 10-man CONMEBOL qualification group, but a deserved win saw them close that gap to two points.
Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera, who was later carried off injured on a stretcher, headed in the opener after 25 minutes, nodding into an unguarded net after James Rodriguez sent a delicate cross over to the far post.
Argentina struggled to carve out clear-cut chances in the first half but levelled just three minutes into the second period, with James' slack pass being cut out by Nicolas Gonzalez, who darted into the area before sliding his finish home.
James was given a chance to redeem himself just 12 minutes later, however, as a VAR review led to Colombia being awarded a penalty for Nicolas Otamendi's trip on Daniel Munoz.
James – the Player of the Tournament at this year's Copa – made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Emiliano Martinez the wrong way for what proved to be the winner.
Colombia almost added a third goal at the death, only for Otamendi to nod Munoz's goal-bound flick off the line, but time still ran out on Argentina.
Data Debrief: Messi-less visitors come unstuck
Argentina made light of Lionel Messi's injury-enforced absence as they thrashed Chile 3-0 last time out, but they struggled to create chances without their talisman on Tuesday.
They ended the game having only hit the target with one of their 13 shots, with a total expected goals (xG) figure of 0.9, in contrast to Colombia's 2.99.
Prior to Tuesday's match, Argentina had only fallen behind on the road in a South American qualification game once under Lionel Scaloni, when fighting back to beat Bolivia 2-1 in October 2020. There was to be no comeback this time around.
Carsley far from comfortable despite perfect England start
Lee Carsley still feels far from comfortable in his role as interim England boss, though he was delighted to see the Three Lions make a perfect start to their Nations League campaign.
Harry Kane scored twice on his 100th international appearance as England beat Finland 2-0 at Wembley on Tuesday, having overcome the Republic of Ireland by the same scoreline on Saturday.
The victory made Carsley the first England manager to win his first two competitive games at the helm to nil since Steve McLaren achieved the feat in 2006.
Such was England's dominance against Ireland and Finland that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was only forced into one save across the two games, in the 11th minute on Saturday.
Despite his impressive start, Carsley – who is seen as a leading contender to get the job on a permanent basis – feels there is plenty more to come.
"I definitely don't feel comfortable still, I have been out of my comfort zone," he told ITV Sport.
"It's been enjoyable but we have to make sure every single day we are producing high standards.
"We've been fortunate enough to get two good results and it's all about building on that."
Pickford, meanwhile, has been impressed by the impact made by some of the new faces called up by Carsley, many of whom played under him at under-21 level.
"It is new and it has been a short camp. A lot of young lads won the Under-21 Euros with the manager and they know the ideas," the Everton goalkeeper said.
"t was refreshing for the older lads – I always want to improve. With England there is a pathway from the younger age groups.
"The amount that come from the under-16s and get opportunities to play for the seniors is there, and it has been there on the manager side as well."
Lille midfielder Angel Gomes was among those to impress on his full debut, becoming the first player to start for England while playing for a French club since Marseille's Trevor Steven in June 1992 (versus France).
Gomes had more touches (130) and completed more passes (116) than any other player, while only Jack Grealish (53) bettered his 42 passes in the final third.
Chelsea's Noni Madueke also made his first England appearance from the bench, replacing Bukayo Saka and making a swift impact by teeing up Kane's second goal.
"It was great to make my first appearance for the national team and I'm really proud of myself," the winger told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It has been a great week, the boys are great and the staff and players have made me feel welcome.
"It tried to go out there and be direct and cause problems. I got an assist for Harry on his 100th appearance – it can't get much better than that. It is fitting that Harry got both goals, it is his night."
England centurion Kane 'hungry to prove people wrong'
Harry Kane has a hunger to prove his doubters wrong, as he celebrated his 100th England cap by scoring twice against Finland.
Kane netted both of England's goals in a 2-0 victory at Wembley in the Nations League on Tuesday.
The England captain wore a pair of golden boots to mark his milestone match, while he was presented with a golden cap before kick-off.
He is the 10th player to make 100 appearances for the Three Lions, though the first to score twice in their landmark game. Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton each scored on their 100th England appearance.
Kane took criticism for some of his performances at Euro 2024, despite winning the Golden Boot, along with five other players, after scoring three goals en route to England reaching the final.
And the 31-year-old suggested the criticism only fuels his desire to keep going at the highest level.
"It was a big night for me, really proud," he told ITV Sport.
"I want to score goals and help the team. Whenever you are doubted, it makes you more hungry to prove people wrong.
"I always back myself to score goals and I am excited for the future."
Speaking at a post-match press conference, the Three Lions captain later added: "I don't think I was even thinking of 100 caps when I was on loan at Millwall, Norwich and Leicester.
"At that time it was about getting back into the Spurs team. I have always had good self-belief. I have learned a lot over the years with Mauricio [Pochettino] when he was at Spurs.
"The game is evolving a bit and it is great for me to keep learning. I would for sure be proud if I knew I was going to get 100 caps."
Interim boss Lee Carsley, who became the first England manager to win his first two competitive games and keep a clean sheet in both since Steve McClaren in 2006, added: "Harry took his goals really well, a big occasion for him. Kids being here, an emotional night, but really happy for Harry. He fully deserves all the plaudits.
"What I have noticed this week is he is highly motivated to play for England and score goals and to have a centre-forward like that, hopefully it continues."
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been trusted in his preferred right-back role by Carsley, provided the assist for Kane's sensational 57th-minute opener.
It was one of five chances the Liverpool star created on the night. Since the start of 2019, it is the third time he has created at least five chances in a game for the Three Lions, with no other player doing so on more than one occasion in that time.
"Trent backed it up with another great performance," Kane said of Alexander-Arnold.
"We always looked like the team who would break the deadlock. We spoke about being ruthless but in these games you have to keep knocking on the door and you will get your reward."
Carsley said prior to the match that he believes he can be the right manager to take England forward, and Kane hailed the impact the former Republic of Ireland international has had.
"The manager has come in with great energy, he talks a lot about freedom and attacking and hurting teams," added Kane, who is now on 85 goal involvements for England (68 goals, 17 assists).
"Of course there is room for improvement, but it's a great start for him."
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