Team World growing in confidence

WORLD TEAM GROWING IN CONFIDENCE ON THE PRACTICE FIELD
Yesterday at 11:52pm
The World team returned to the practice field at the PAL Stadium in Plantation, FL, with two sessions that delighted head coach JAN JENMERT and his coaching staff.

“We are not quite there in football terms, but where being focused and determined to get things right are concerned, the team is in great shape,” said the Swedish coach, whose 45 players from around the world will take on USA Football’s Junior National Team this Saturday.

The January 30 contest, which kicks off at 12pm and will be televised live by NFL Network, will follow AFC and NFC All-Star practices at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Admission to the NFL All-Star practices and “Team USA vs. The World” game is free of charge.

“I was impressed how we approached practice mentally and physically,” added Jenmert. “The players come from eight different countries and many of them speak different languages, but they are already bonding as a team.”

Taking to the field for the third and fourth time since arriving in South Florida, the World team executed plays during Tuesday’s two practices as if they had been teammates for weeks rather than days.

Defensive backs DYLAN HOLLOHAN (St Francis Xavier University) and CAMERON WADE (Arcadia University) produced interceptions when the squad scrimmaged, but only after quarterback JEREMI DOYON-ROCH (Vanier College) had moved the ball downfield with passes to JULIAN BAILEY (Vanier College) and as running back STEVEN LUMBALA (Calgary University) made gains on the ground.

“We have very different set-ups to our practices here,” said Hollohan of the relatively short World team practices that do not run more than 90 minutes following an unorthodox warm up session. “I really like it though. I am being open-minded about it. I think the coaches are doing a great job. I am confident in them and I feel they are confident in us. I think it going to be good.

“With our team, there is definitely a language barrier. There are some players that do not speak English that well, but overall we are able to overcome it and it has been going pretty well so far. All of my teammates seem like they want to be became a family over this week. Everyone is cooperating, so it is good.”

Practice highlights: A 35-yard connection between DOYON-ROCH and receiver ADAM THIBAULT (Laval University)… Catches made by Japanese receiver JUMPEI YOSHIMOTO (Ritsumeikan University) from both World team quarterbacks… The loud vocalizations of team leader and linebacker BYRON PEREZ ARCHAMBAULT (Vanier College)… Passes broken up by defensive back MIKE DUBUISSON (St Leonard Cougars)… the sun finally came out in South Florida after two overcast days… Team USA took to the practice field for the first time under head coach CHRIS MERRITT of Miami Christopher Columbus High School.

Delivering NFL Network game commentary for the multi-national noon ET kickoff on Jan. 30 will be RICH EISEN, DEION SANDERS, and SCOTT KENNEDY. Sideline reporter STACEY DALES will contribute on-field insight.

USA Football’s “Team USA vs. The World” game, presented by Riddell, is also supported by numerous USA Football corporate partners, including GameWear Team Sports, Shock Doctor, Gatorade, and Cutters.

For more about USA Football’s “Team USA vs. The World” game, presented by Riddell, visit www.usavworld.com.