Thirty-year-old George Vernal has always dreamed of representing his country at the highest level.

The attacking Boys' Town midfielder/forward has up to this time only donned the national colours at the Under-17 level in World Cup qualifiers in 1994.

"It was great experience for me," Vernal recounted recently.

"For me it was a sense of pride to represent the country and I remember vividly winning the Caribbean round of the qualifiers, defeating Trinidad and Tobago at Harbour View. From there we went to El Salvador where we lost 0-2 to Canada but rebounded to draw 1-1 with the home team.

"It was especially pleasing in that game as I scored. In our final game we beat Nicaragua 3-1 but did not advance," Vernal added.

Dimmed desire

Since that time, Vernal has been piping for a return to a similar stage. Not even migration to the United States in 1998 and his residence there has dimmed his desire.

"I have not given up. I am still trying to do my best and a good performance this year could help me to get the invitation I crave. I have scored 10 goals in the DPL (Digicel Premier League) so far this season and I think I have a big opportunity on Sunday in the Flow Champions Cup final to make another statement," added the man who grew up in Olympic Gardens and who has been a leader for Boys' Town since joining them in 2005.

"Sunday's game is a final and a big one too. Every player wants to win a trophy and if I could perform well in that game and help my team to lift the trophy, then maybe I could get the invitation I long for," said the man who would love to be among the players chosen for Jamaica's friendly international against Caribbean rivals Haiti on May 23.

Really grateful

Whatever the outcome on Sunday, Vernal will remain thankful to former national coach and Boys' Town stalwart, Carl Brown, who spotted him at a training camp in the United States with A League team Atlanta Silverbacks.

"I am really grateful to coach Brown because he presented me with the opportunity to show my ability up close. It has not happened yet, but I am still of age and I am performing so it could still happen.

"Since I have been with this team, it has been great as the players look to me to drive them forward and we have a good spirit. With that kind of spirit we can take care of the job on Sunday and everything after that will be a bonus," he noted.