Jamaica continues its quest within the CONCACAF Nations League A Group B competitors in opposition to bottom-placed Grenada contained in the Grenada Nationwide Stadium at 6:00 pm (Jamaica time) on Thursday.
The Jamaicans lead the group on 4 factors, the identical as Cuba, with Honduras subsequent on three factors, adopted by Haiti on two factors, with Suriname and Grenada on one level every.
In different Group B video games on Thursday, Suriname hosts Haiti, and Cuba entertains Honduras.
Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has warned the hosts that his expenses can be taking the sport severely, as they appear to cement a spot atop the group.
“We’re severe, we wish to qualify from this group, we’ve checked out Grenada rather a lot, studied them how they’re taking part in and we’re getting ready in addition to we presumably can,” he instructed the gathering at Wednesday’s pre-match press convention.
He added: “We’re going for the win, we’re totally centered on the duty of the opponent, and hopefully we may give a great efficiency tomorrow, that’s type of our psychological strategy to this.”
Boyz squad depleted
Hallgrimsson and his technical employees had chosen a 23-man squad however accidents and different private points have depleted the squad. Defender Javain Brown and Adrian Mariappa have withdrawn from the squad, as has striker Renaldo Cephas, who has encountered journey difficulties in Turkey because of the ongoing battle in Israel.
West Ham United striker Michail Antonio will solely be accessible for Sunday’s second recreation in opposition to Haiti in Trinidad.
Teenager Dujuan Richards has been summoned to the squad to switch Cephas.
The Reggae Boyz assembled in Grenada on Monday and held two coaching classes on the match venue on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
If the Reggae Boyz safe victory of their upcoming matches and preserve their place atop Group B, they may advance to the quarter-finals, the place they may face both Canada or Costa Rica. In the event that they end as runners-up, they may face Mexico or the US for an opportunity to take part within the Copa America Event scheduled for June 20 to July 14 subsequent 12 months within the US.
‘We’d like the three factors’- Hallgrimsson
Hallgrimsson emphasised the significance of reaching the playoffs for varied causes, together with the chance to compete within the semi-finals and doubtlessly the ultimate of the Nations League, which may result in participation within the Copa America subsequent summer time.
He views these alternatives as essential for the staff’s development and growth, with an eye fixed on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We’re solely specializing in this recreation, not the following recreation, we’re taking it actually severely as we’d like the three factors and we’ll do all the pieces we are able to,” the Icelandic coach additional famous.
Within the opener in opposition to Honduras inside Kingston’s Nationwide Stadium, Jamaica received 1-0 earlier than rallying from two targets down to attract stage with Haiti 2-2, additionally inside Kingston’s Nationwide Stadium.
For these video games the staff regarded patchy at greatest, and it appeared void of creativity and cohesion with direct, route one soccer being the order of the day.
“We’re at all times engaged on our techniques. Typically we undergo the midfield, typically we go flanks and we go direct, we try to enhance in our weaker areas and you might even see that tomorrow,” supplied Hallgrimsson.
For his or her half, Grenada has been woeful. They opened with a 1-1 end result with Suriname, earlier than being smashed 4-0 by Honduras on the final event.
The Jamaican coach has recalled 31-year-old Michael Hector, whereas giving a primary call-up to the senior squad to Charlton Athletics’ 19-year-old Karoy Anderson.
Anderson is a box-to-box midfielder, whereas Hector performs in central defence or a deep-lying midfielder.
The total squad contains goalkeepers Andre Blake, Kemar Foster, Jahmali Waite; defenders Tayvon Grey, Di’Shon Bernard, Dexter Lembikisa, Damion Lowe, Michael Hector, Greg Leigh; midfielders Bobby Reid, Daniel Johnson, Joel Latibeaudiere, Kevon Lambert, Karoy Anderson, and Demario Phillips; forwards Michail Antonio, Shamar Nicholson, Leon Bailey, Romario Williams, and Demarai Grey.
