South American Challenges Lie Ahead For Reggae Boyz
Jamaica swerve the big guns of Canada and US in CONCACAF Nations League draw
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will tackle the two South American countries of Mexico and Suriname in the CONCACAF Nations League group stage.
The Boyz kick-off their Nations League campaign in June, with the return legs scheduled for March 2023. The winner of each three-team group progress to the finals in June 2023, with the event serving as a qualifier for the prestigious 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Being handed the mouth-watering opponents of Mexico, who are the only side in the region to be ranked inside FIFA’s top 10, and the minnows of the Dutch colony of Suriname in Group A means that Jamaica should not totally fear the Nations League.
Both the Boyz (world no.64) and Suriname (no.141) were promoted from League B after finishing first in their respective groups. Mexico and Jamaica have had numerous tussles in recent times, with ‘El Tri’ getting the better of the Boyz.
If Jamaica can avoid finishing bottom of their group then they will be guaranteed an appearance in the 17th edition of the Gold Cup in June and July 2023.
Mexico finished runner-up to the United States in the inaugural Nations League. They fell 3-2 during extra time in the final at Denver, Colorado. Mexico, who have just qualified for November’s FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar, became arguably everyone’s second favourite team at the last World Cup finals in Russia after they stunned defending champions Germany 1-0 in Moscow.
Suriname have suffered fairly recent defeats to the Boyz, losing in the Nations League and last year’s Gold Cup.
Canada and the United States, who have both qualified automatically for Qatar 2022, were arguably the sides that Jamaica wished to avoid in the draw.
The Nations League comprises 41 teams separated into three leagues that were on the results of the 2019 Nations League group games.
Costa Rica, who face a World Cup play-off against New Zealand, face Panama and Martinique in Group B.
Canada are pitted against Honduras and relative minnows Curaçao in Group C. The United States will play El Salvador and Grenada in Group D.
CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE DRAW
League A
Group A | Mexico, Jamaica, Suriname
Group B | Costa Rica, Panama, Martinique
Group C | Canada, Honduras, Curaçao
Group D | United States, El Salvador, Grenada
League B
Group A | Cuba, Guadeloupe, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados
Group B | Haiti, Bermuda, Guyana, Montserrat
Group C | Trinidad & Tobago, Nicaragua, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Bahamas
Group D | Guatemala, French Guiana, Dominican Republic, Belize
League C
Group A | Bonaire, Turks & Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten
Group B | St. Kitts & Nevis, Aruba, Saint Martin
Group C | St. Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla
Group D | Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands
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