Jamaica’s Heroes Revved Up for Nicaragua Test
Two-legged knockout phase for Reggae Boyz to progress in World Cup Qualifiers
Jamaica will be aiming to continue their fine form following their heroic Gold Cup exploits, which has lifted them to world no55 in the FIFA rankings, when they tackle Nicaragua over two legs in their World Cup Qualifying on Friday and Tuesday.
But head coach Winfried Schäfer has warned his battling Reggae Boyz, who recently made history by becoming the first Caribbean side to reach the Gold Cup final, that reaching the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia is a better prize.
Schäfer explained: “The Gold Cup was good, but we start all over again with Nicaragua on Friday night.”
Since Jamaica stumbled to their feeble final defeat to Mexico, 23-year-old defender Michael Hector has been snapped up by English Premier League outfit Chelsea for £4m and competing at the World Cup finals will lift the profile of players who will unquestionably be looking to also land lucrative contracts with leading teams.
But first the Boyz, one of a dozen sides remaining in the CONCACAF zone (taking in North America, Central America and the Caribbean) for the Qualifiers, they have to overturn Nicaragua to progress to the next round.
Jamaica hosts Nicaragua in Kingston’s National Stadium on Friday (8pm ko local time) before the return match at the capital city of Managua on Tuesday (8.30pm ko local time).
If Jamaica can see off world ranked no144 Nicaragua, as expected, they face a stiff task to progress as one of the top two sides in a four-team group comprising Costa Rica, Panama and either Grenada or Haiti.
Nicaraguan coach Henry Duarte, whose side have hardly been tested to reach this stage with resounding victories over Anguilla and Suriname, said: “My team’s growing in confidence and spirit, we have our sights set on conquering the highly-rated Jamaica team.
“As we grow from strength to strength we aren’t daunted by the task ahead. Our forthrightness in attack is comparable to our solid defending.”
Nicaragua have selected a 22-player squad that includes Colombian-born star defender Luis Fernando Copete and influential captain Juan Barrera, the whizzy winger nicknamed ‘El Iluminado’.
But the Boyz have been dealt a blow with a trio of reliable defenders – Daniel Gordon, Jermaine Taylor and Wes Morgan – missing from the 27-player squad that will be reduced to 23 before kick-off, so embattled defender Alvas Powell returns despite his well-publicised walkout during the Gold Cup run because of his lack of minutes on the pitch.
British-based regulars, winger Garath McLeary and attacking midfielder Jobi McAnuff, are also absent which means there are call ups for new faces including veteran midfielder Lee Williamson. The Blackburn Rovers ace was part of the Jamaica squad seven years ago but missed out through injury and makes his first return to the international arena.
Four Jamaica-based defenders have been selected. Montego Bay United’s duo of Ladale Richie and Cordell Simpson join up with Portmore United’s Upston Edwards and Harbour View’s Rosario ‘Rossi’ Harriott.
And Schäfer’s defensive tactics, which were only employed as an emergency when the Boyz made a stuttering start at last November’s Caribbean Cup but paid dividends by winning the competition in Montego Bay, are very apparent as the veteran German has picked a dozen defenders in his initial 27-player squad.
The support for the Boyz has snowballed since their fantastic achievement in the Gold Cup. Not only will the fickle fans be hoping to see Jamaica claim a victory over Nicaragua in Kingston but they will be wanting to be entertained with attractive play and witness goals.
Six strikers – Giles Barnes, Deshorn Brown, Andre Clennon, Darren Mattocks, Romeo Parkes, Michael Seaton and Je-Vaughn Watson – will be vying for a starting berth on Friday then finding the back of the net, and with vocal support within the National Stadium the Boyz should be able to continue to impress as long as Schäfer’s selection isn’t too defensive-minded.
JAMAICA SQUAD: Goalkeepers – Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Duwayne Kerr (Sarpsborg, Norway), Dwayne Miller (Syrianska, Sweden)
Defenders – Sergio Campbell (Columbus Crew), Upston Edwards (Portmore United), Hughan Gray (VPS Vaasa, Finland), Michael Hector (Chelsea), Rosario ‘Rossi’ Harriott (Harbour View FC), Lance Laing (FC Edmonton), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls), Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace), Demar Phillips (Real Salt Lake), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers), Ladale Richie (Montego Bay United), Cordell Simpson (Montego Bay United)
Midfielders – Rodolph Austin (Unattached), Simon Dawkins (Derby County), Joel Grant (Exeter City), Christopher Humphrey (Preston North End), Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards – Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo), Deshorn Brown (Valerenga, Norway), Andre Clennon (VPS Vaasa), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps), Romeo Parkes (Isidro Metapan, El Salvador), Michael Seaton (Portland Timbers), Je-Vaughn Watson (FC Dallas)
Qualifying 3rd Round (Two-legged ties)
Curacao v El Salvador, Canada v Belize, Grenada v Haiti, Jamaica v Nicaragua, St. Vincent & Grenadines v Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda v Guatemala
September 4: Jamaica v Nicaragua (National Stadium, Jamaica, 8pm ko local time)
September 8: Nicaragua v Jamaica (Nicaragua National Football Stadium, Managua, 8.30pm ko local time)
Qualifying 4th Round (Round-Robin)
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 (Round-Robin)
Top two teams from each group will play in a six-team mini-league, with the top three automatically qualifying and the fourth-placed team moving into an inter-Continental play-off.