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Stabroek News



Mere formality: Reggae Boyz vs Bahamas
published: Wednesday | June 18, 2008

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter


Bahamian goalkeeper Dwayne Whylly (centre) charges in to take the ball ahead of Jamaica's Tyrone Marshall (left) and The Bahamas captain Happy Hall (right) in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Sunday. Jamaica won the game 7-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Sporting a healthy 7-0 advantage headed into today's second leg, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will look to close out the Bahamas and advance to the next stage of the World Cup qualification, when the teams meet in a 4p.m. encounter at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

Dominated from the shrill blast of the opening whistle, The Bahamas had been able to offer very little in the way of resistance in the first leg encounter at the National Stadium in Sunday's first leg.

Goals from captain Ricardo Gardner, Demar Phillips, Marlon King, Luton Shelton, Andy Williams and Omar Daley ensured that the fixture was very one-sided.

The Bahamas struggled to register convincing opportunities, managing only three shots on goal, none of which caused any real trouble to Reggae Boy custodian Donovan Ricketts.

Taking Nothing for granted

Despite that, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical director, Rene Simoes, will take nothing for granted.

"I am only going to be pleased with a very serious performance from the players today, nothing less will do," Simoes told The Gleaner. "When you are professional, you are always motivated. We are not just playing against the Bahamas, but playing for a place in the World Cup. Winning is a habit, we have to always do our best."

However, the technical director remained tight-lipped as to whether there would be any significant changes in personnel for today's game, having already secured a big advantage.

One certainty is, however, that striker Ricardo Fuller will miss another game for the national team, as he recovers from a torn meniscus sustained from a crunching tackle in a bruising 1-2 loss to Grenada last week.

Luton Shelton, who scored two goals on Sunday is expected to partner Marlon King up front

Despite admitting to being outclassed by a more experienced outfit in the opening leg, Bahamas' Brazilian coach, Neider Dos Santos, promised a better showing from his team.

"The players tried their best but the difference of experience made a huge impact in the game," the coach said.

"We just need to forget that match and see how to improve our performance in the next game," he added.

A win for the Jamaicans - which appears a mere formality - will see them book their place in the third round of the qualifiers, where they could face a tough group involving Mexico, Canada and Honduras, should expected results hold true to form.

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