REGGAE BOYZ

UNCOVEREDMore than easy-goingMario Wagner / 2AgentenThere are many small and beautiful countries in the world about which themajority of people know little or nothing, and then there are those small andbeautiful nations that everyone can immediately identify with, even if theyhave never been there. Jamaica is one of those places. With its three millioninhabitants, broad sandy beaches, easy-going attitude and Bob Marley musicplaying on every corner, it is an island of dreams.Jamaicans clearly cherish their laid-back lifestyle, but even though theReggae Boyz undoubtedly draw strength from their serenity, it is not the onlykey to the national side's recent success - crowned two weeks ago by a glorioussecond-place finish at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Any team capable of toppingtheir group ahead of Costa Rica and Canada before eliminating tournamentfavourites USA must also be tactically, technically and physically adept.German coach Winnie Schafer has never managed a major club, but he realisedat an early stage in his career that his unique combination of footballingexpertise and social skills could be used to accomplish great things. In thisweek’s issue, Sarah Steiner presents a portrait of this Caribbean cult figure, whilewe also revisit Jamaica’s first World Cup qualifying campaign and reflect on BobMarley’s love of the beautiful game. ÅAlan SchweingruberTHE FIFA WEEKLY5