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Boyd embraces Simões
July 18, 2023
It was a night to remember at the Porus Football Festival at the Porus Community Centre, as Rene Simoes and members of the 1998 World Cup team and a Celebrity All-Stars team, led by Walter Boyd, battled in an entertaining exhibition game to honour the heroes of the Reggae Boyz' 1998 World Cup qualification.
For former Jamaica fan favourite Boyd, who scored a hat-trick in his team's losing effort, it was an opportunity to mend fences with the Brazilian coach, Simoes.
He told STAR Sports the two did not part on the best of terms and that the Porus Football Festival to honour the 1998 team was a chance to put the past behind them.
"I just want to thank everybody who put on an event like this," Boyd said after the game. "It's a big thing. A massive thing, and it's good to see the coach again. The last time I saw him, we were at odds. Now we can patch it up and get past that."
Simoes and Boyd, the dominant figures of the '98 campaign, hugged and greeted each other when they met in Porus.
However, the forward, a crucial part of the then Reggae Boyz, allegedly failed to comply with Simoes' disciplinary demands, and their relationship grew sour, with Boyd basically being dropped for the final round of the qualifiers.
However, when Simoes suggested the forward would not be selected in the World Cup squad, there were widespread protests and threats to block the road to the airport for the tricky forward's inclusion. He was the last player to be named during Simoes' squad announcement.
Nevertheless, that failed to calm tensions between the pair, and their meeting on Sunday was the first cordial encounter they had since that time.
Boyd said the occasion was memorable, and the only thing missing was the presence of the English-based players.
"It was a great feeling to see the players. It brings back a lot of memories. I want to say thanks, Jamaica, for everything. I am glad to contribute because I am happy with what's happening, and we would love it to happen again.
"We would have loved to see Theodore Whitmore and the English-based players, but hopefully, next time. It was a great night, and it's a blessing to see the coach," he said.
Simoes was also overwhelmed by the support.
"This is wonderful. I enjoyed myself. It's a wonderful job. What Mr Boxhill is doing here is excellent, and we need to do more things like that," Simoes said, referring to former Jamaica Football Federation President Creston Boxhill, who helped to organise the event.
In the exhibition game, Simoes led the '98 Reggae Boyz with five assists and a goal. Boyd led the Celebrity All-Star with a hat-trick and an assist in the 7-5 defeat.
Meanwhile, in the Porus Night League final, home team Radiator beat Young Strikers of Clarendon 2-0 for the title.
