WITH Jamaica’s Beneath-17 males’s workforce hours away from doubtlessly qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this 12 months, Assistant Coach Vassell Reynolds believes the achievement would offer a large enhance to the nationwide programme.
The younger Reggae Boyz are to tackle El Salvador at 8:00 pm within the ultimate match of Group H in Concacaf Beneath-17 Championship, at Estadio Cementos Progeso in Guatemala.
Regardless of each groups having six factors, Jamaica solely want a draw to qualify for the worldwide showpiece as they lead the group with a aim distinction of +11. El Salvador ‘s aim distinction is +10.
Reynolds informed the Jamaica Observer that the workforce is energised by the prospect of constructing historical past.
“It’s essential for the nation’s soccer to qualify for a World Cup at this degree. I feel it could be a motivation for all — the federation, soccer basically, and all stakeholders, particularly for the children who’ve a possibility to signify the nation. It’s essential for us and now we have that as a mindset going into the sport,” he stated.
The workforce educated on Friday morning forward of the competition, and though enjoying two video games in three days, Reynolds says the Boyz are ready for the encounter.
“It was a superb session, a really mild one. We had whole relaxation on Thursday, as a result of the back-to-back video games is just not straightforward to handle, so what we’ve been doing is lots of restoration classes. So, we had a lightweight session [on Friday], which went nicely. The gamers appear to be nicely rested and relaxed and look upbeat so from that standpoint, we’re very glad,” he stated.
The younger Jamaicans secured the benefit with a large 10-1 win over Cayman Islands on Wednesday, so as to add to their 3-1 victory over St Lucia on Monday. El Salvador, after hammering Cayman Islands 8-0 of their opening sport, may solely handle a 2-0 win over St Lucia on Wednesday — which suggests solely a win may give them qualification.
Though Jamaica solely want some extent, Reynolds says the workforce gained’t be tentative of their method.
“The actual fact now we have achieved what we got down to obtain within the first two video games makes us happy. We’re within the place we needed to be in, going into the final match with issues in our favour,” he stated.
“We’ve got the benefit — and the method is to not hand over the benefit — however I feel we’re going to method the sport with a optimistic with out giving up the benefit that now we have,” Reynolds added.
It will be the third time within the nation’s historical past that they certified for an Beneath-17 World Cup, following appearances on the 1999 and 2011 editions. They’d even be the primary Jamaica soccer workforce at any degree and gender to qualify for 3 World Cups.
