JAMAICA'S REGGAE Boyz face a do-or-die challenge in tonight's CONCACAF Group Two World Cup qualifier against Canada at the National Stadium, having to beat the North Americans to enhance their hopes of advancing to the final round of qualifiers. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 o'clock.
The Boyz are in a three-way tussle in the quadrangular group play-offs for two spots, with Mexico and Honduras who will meet in the group's other match in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, tonight.
Mexico in the lead
Mexico lead with 10 points, one more than Honduras, while Jamaica are next on seven. Canada, the other team in what had rightly been dubbed the 'Group of Death' - given the quality of its opponents and the expected competitiveness - have only secured two points thus far and are out of contention.
In 13 meetings, Jamaica have only beaten Canada twice, while five of the matches, including the 1-1 finish in first-round action in Toronto, have ended in draws. Mexico beat Honduras 2-1 in Mexico City in their first-leg fixture.
Best chance of qualifying
Jamaica's best chance of qualifying rests with a victory that would propel the team to 10 points, along with Mexico beating Honduras, which would keep the Hondurans on nine points and elevate Mexico as the group winners with 12 points.
Otherwise, a Jamaican win would at least ensure a tie for second on 10 points, following which goal difference would be used as a tiebreaker.
Wide win needed
Mexico's goal difference is +4, Honduras' +3 and Jamaica's -3, so the Reggae Boyz would have to win by a sufficiently wide margin that tabulates favourably with the corresponding score from the other group fixture to claim second spot and advance.
"Going out there, we will be looking to put as many goals as possible into the back of the net," noted Theodore Whitmore, who as interim head coach revived the team's fortunes with back-to-back 1-0 wins over Mexico and Honduras here last month.
Whitmore added: "I think the first 15 to 20 minutes of Wednesday's game will be very important."
Jamaica have summoned all their resources for the all-important clash at 'The Office', drafting their top representatives including captain Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner, Marlon King, Ricardo 'Wily Boo' Fuller, Luton Shelton, Ian 'Pepe' Goodison, Andrew 'Bomber' Williams and Tyrone Marshall, who play professionally in leagues across Europe, the United States and even China in the case of central defender Demar Stewart.
audley.boyd@gleanerjm.com
