Michail Antonio out of Reggae Boyz squad for semis against USA
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Reggae Boyz squad that is preparing for Thursday’s crucial semi-finals against the USA in the Concacaf Nations League final has been dealt another blow with fit-again Michail Antonio withdrawing from the squad.
The West Ham striker, who scored in the club’s 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in their English Premier League game on Sunday, had missed a number of games for club and country due to injuries.
Antonio’s withdrawal adds to coach Heimir Hallgrimsson’s headache after regular starter Ethan Pinnock and Amari Bell had earlier withdrawn, while Leon Bailey and Trivante Stewart have been suspended by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for reportedly breaking team curfew after their quarterfinal win over Canada.
To add to the list of absentees, Demarai Gray and Shamari Nicholson will miss the game on Thursday after picking up suspensions from the Canada series.
-Paul A Reid
