KINGSTON, JAMAICA — The Reggae Boyz return to the Nationwide Stadium this Tuesday night with qualification to the subsequent stage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers already secured.
However for Head Coach Steve McClaren, this night’s encounter in opposition to Guatemala is about excess of progress—it’s about delight, precision, and home-soil redemption.
Kickoff is ready for six:00 p.m., with each groups tied atop Group E on 9 factors. Guatemala at the moment betters Jamaica on objective distinction (plus 11 to plus three), making this fixture the de facto group ultimate. And though the ticket to the subsequent spherical is already punched, the Boyz don’t have any intention of coasting.
“Each recreation is necessary for us. It’s necessary to win the video games—nonetheless you do this, simply discover a method to win,” stated McClaren throughout his pre-match press convention on Monday. “Tomorrow evening, we’ve acquired to try this once more in opposition to an excellent Guatemala staff, who we face once more within the Gold Cup. It’s going to be an intriguing two video games.”
The Nationwide Stadium drought: A problem to beat
Since his appointment in July, McClaren has but to register a win on the Nationwide Stadium—familiarly dubbed The Workplace. Goalless attracts in opposition to Cuba and Honduras had been adopted by a slender 0-1 defeat to america. Now, with confidence hanging within the steadiness forward of the Gold Cup, the coach sees tonight’s match as pivotal.
“It’s about successful right here, and it’s about scoring objectives right here. That’s my subsequent objective and milestone—to make this a spot the place individuals need to come. To do this, we’ve got to win video games right here, and to win video games, we’ve got to attain objectives right here, and we haven’t performed sufficient of each.”
Guatemala: A troublesome and tactical opponent
Though Jamaica boasts a dominant head-to-head file—11 wins and three attracts from 18 matches—the Guatemalans arrive in red-hot kind, having routed the Dominican Republic of their final outing. McClaren isn’t underestimating the problem.
“They’re superb technically and tactically. They’ve a settled staff and a approach of enjoying. It is a completely completely different recreation—one finish of the spectrum to the opposite from the British Virgin Islands. It’s not going to be simple. We’ve got to impose our recreation at residence and win.”
From rusty to ruthless? Struggles in entrance of objective
Jamaica’s assault has didn’t ignite constantly, registering solely 5 objectives throughout three qualifying matches—nicely behind Guatemala’s tally of 13. Saturday’s slender 1-0 win over the British Virgin Islands solely deepened considerations.
“That’s our drawback. I don’t assume we’re changing our possibilities as typically as potential. In opposition to St Vincent, we had over 20 efforts at objective and solely scored as soon as away, three at residence—with two in harm time. We’re creating much more possibilities now, however we’re not ending them.”
The teaching workers is seeking to the likes of Leon Bailey, Demarai Grey, and Renaldo Cephas to shoulder extra of the attacking burden. McClaren additionally praised Jamaica Premier League Golden Boot winner Warner Brown and newcomer Rumarn Burrell for his or her power and potential.
“What we’d like now’s objectives from our vast gamers and midfield gamers. In any other case, we’re going to see inconsistent outcomes. That’s one cause why Jon [Russell] has come into the staff.”
Homecoming hopefuls: Gamers desperate to shine in Kingston
For midfielder Jon Russell, tonight marks a particular milestone. Regardless of incomes seven worldwide caps, he has by no means featured on residence turf. That modifications tonight, and he’s relishing the chance.
“Will probably be large. I haven’t come on at residence but, so the goal is to play in entrance of our followers and play to the very best of our capability. Will probably be wonderful to win and get a objective—however particularly in entrance of our followers; it makes it much more particular.”
There are a number of choice complications forward of kickoff. Heart again Richard King stays a game-time choice after choosing up a knock in opposition to the BVI. On a optimistic observe, midfielder Isaac Hayden has recovered from sickness and is predicted to return.
Greater than a match: Momentum forward of the Gold Cup
Tonight’s conflict is not only about group supremacy. It units the tone for a summer time of excessive expectations as Jamaica prepares to face Guatemala once more in Group C of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, alongside Panama and Guadeloupe.
“We need to end prime of the group. I feel each groups are delighted simply to qualify for the ultimate phases, and we look ahead to that. However that is about our delight tomorrow.”
In entrance of a loyal residence crowd, below the intense lights of Kingston, the Reggae Boyz will not be simply enjoying for factors—they’re enjoying to show that The Workplace can as soon as once more be a fortress.
Jamaica Squad vs Guatemala: Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Shaquan Davis, Jahmali Waite; Defenders: Damion Lowe, Richard King, Kyle Ming, Dexter Lembikisa, Amari’i Bell, Greg Leigh, Mason Holgate, Joel Latibeaudiere; Midfielders: Isaac Hayden, Kasey Palmer, Ravel Morrison, Jon Russell, Dwayne Atkinson; Forwards: Leon Bailey, Demarai Grey, Renaldo Cephas, Kaheim Dixon, Warner Brown, Rumarn Burrell, Tyreece Campbell, Romario Williams
