Mariappa not ready to call time on international career
FOR NOW, national defender Adrian Mariappa says that he has not closed the book on his international career, believing that he is still capable of being a part of the on-field future of the team.
Mariappa, 35, made his 63rd appearance for the Reggae Boyz in their 2-1 win over Honduras on Wednesday at the National Stadium as they concluded their unsuccessful 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. A win on home soil was a result that brought relief to Mariappa after a difficult campaign but the win was more significant for personal reasons, as he surpassed former national striker Deon Burton for the most appearances by an England-born player.
It was a milestone that was not lost on the London-born Mariappa, who grew up watching Burton play.
“I didn’t really have my sights on anything like that, but I am incredibly humbled to go one more appearance than Deon, who is a legend as well,” Mariappa told The Gleaner. “He is someone that I grew up watching and who inspired me. It’s been a long road but I have enjoyed every single game, win, lose or draw. It’s a massive honour and a privilege.”
It was former national head coach Theodore Whitmore who gave Mariappa his international debut 10 years ago, and he has been a mainstay of the team since. Mariappa was a part of the 2015 Gold Cup team that made it to the final that year.
While advanced i n years, Mariappa says that he is not yet ready to call time on his international career, as he still feels that he has more to give.
“I still feel good about myself and I still play club football every week and feeling good. Listen, older players are playing. I’m not going to be playing right wingback for games to come,” Mariappa said. “But, if there is still a role for me to play on the pitch and I still feel good then yes, I can continue. It’s something that I have to speak to the manager about. But I’m just going to enjoy the win and talk about the future later on.”
BETTER APPROACH
Whoever is the head coach of the team to have those discussions with is still yet to be determined as Paul Hall has completed his interim stint with a decision about his immediate future pending. The Reggae Boyz will be back in action this summer as they compete in League A of the Concacaf Nations League.
Despite the struggles and the disappointment of another missed trip to the World Cup finals, Mariappa says that the foundation laid gives them a platform for a better approach to the next cycle.
“We have always shown glimpses of what we can do. It has been a tough campaign, but I think we have grown through it. We had to learn as we go, so to speak. A lot of new players every single camp and trying to gel,” Mariappa said. “I feel like we have a good foundation and we are going to build on it and give everything we can for the Nations League and try (to) finish as well in that as we can.