Reggae Boyz Face Nicaragua in World Cup Qualifiers
Jamaica’s heroes turn attention towards Russia 2018
Jamaica, hot on the heels of their heroic Gold Cup exploits, will be concentrating on plotting their way to the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.
With 18 sides remaining in the CONCACAF zone – taking in North America, Central America and the Caribbean – for the Qualifiers, the Reggae Boyz have to first overcome Nicaragua to reach the next round.
The two-legged ties will see Jamaica tackle Nicaragua in Kingston’s National Stadium on 4 September before the return match at Managua on 8 September.
Winfried Schäfer’s battling Boyz, who became the first Caribbean outfit to reach the Gold Cup final, will be aiming to bounce back from their disappointment of losing to Mexico who they could meet in the final Qualifying stage.
If Jamaica can see off Nicaragua, as expected, they face a stiff task to progress as one of the top two sides in a four-team group comprising Panama, Costa Rica and either Grenada or Haiti.
Panama finished third in the Gold Cup, controversially falling to eventual champions Mexico in their semi-final but defeating co-hosts USA.
Costa Rica are a force to be reckoned with, and Haiti – strong favourites to beat minnows Grenada – are familiar to the Boyz who dismissed them 1-0 in their Gold Cup quarter-final clash.
Qualifying 3rd Round
Curacao v El Salvador, Canada v Belize, Grenada v Haiti, Jamaica v Nicaragua, St. Vincent & Grenadines v Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda v Guatemala
Qualifying 4th Round
Group A: Honduras, Mexico, Curacao or El Salvador, Canada or Belize
Group B: Panama, Costa Rica, Grenada or Haiti, Jamaica or Nicaragua
Group C: Trinidad & Tobago, USA, St. Vincent & Grenadines or Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda or Guatemala
Final Qualifying Round
Top two teams from each group will play in a round robin six-team mini-league, with the top three automatically qualifying and the fourth-placed team moving into an inter-Continental play-off.