Jamaica’s senior Reggae Boyz Head Coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, acknowledges the formidable problem that lies forward for his crew within the upcoming CONMEBOL Copa America.
Regardless of the daunting Group B draw, which incorporates Mexico, Venezuela, and Ecuador as opponents, Hallgrimsson maintains an optimistic outlook for his squad’s probabilities of defying the percentages.
The familiarity of going through these Group B opponents, to some extent, together with the notable enhancements within the high quality of gamers throughout the Reggae Boyz squad, leads Hallgrimsson to anticipate a collection of charming matches on this match.
Though this marks his first time main the crew within the prestigious Copa America, Jamaican groups have beforehand participated twice – in 2015 towards Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina in Chile, and the next 12 months towards Venezuela, Mexico, and Uruguay within the Copa America Centenario hosted by the USA.
Parity within the group
When requested concerning the group’s competitiveness, Hallgrimsson stated, “I didn’t know a lot about Venezuela, however after pondering, it’s robust groups actually, all of the three groups. If I can say one thing related about all of them, is that they’re aggressive, actually onerous working, and all of those nations play enthusiastic and tough-tackling soccer. So, it’s all robust, robust opponents, however I feel it’s fairly an equal group.”
He emphasised the parity within the group, suggesting that no crew is prone to safe a straightforward nine-point lead, making each match a contest.
Whereas Jamaica has confronted Mexico and Venezuela on a number of events over time, encounters with Ecuador have been restricted to 3 pleasant matches in 2009, 2011, and 2018, with combined outcomes.
Regardless of previous challenges, Hallgrimsson believes that with thorough preparation and securing factors, Jamaica has an actual alternative to advance from the group, as he expects all groups to undertake the same perspective.
The Reggae Boyz, contemporary from a exceptional comeback victory over Canada within the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals, are planning to channel their power in direction of the semi-final conflict towards america earlier than shifting their focus to the Copa America in June.
Preparation schedule
Hallgrimsson outlined their preparation schedule, with home gamers being the first focus in January and February, and the Nations League semi-final in mid-February. Afterward, consideration will shift to the World Cup qualifying video games.
Jamaica’s Copa America marketing campaign will start on June 22 towards Mexico, adopted by matches towards Ecuador on June 26 and Venezuela on June 30.
In different group pairings, america is in Group C with Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia, whereas Group D options Costa Rica or Honduras towards Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay. Group A presents a formidable problem for Trinidad and Tobago or Canada, who will compete towards World Cup champions Argentina, Peru, and Chile.