Sometime ago, following the draw for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Associations of Football (CONCACAF) qualifiers, a number of top football officials and personalities were quizzed about Jamaica's chances.
Their analysis was based on the fact that the Reggae Boyz would play either The Bahamas or British Virgin Islands (BVI) in their opening matches; then face Mexico, Canada and Honduras in the four-nation group semi-final phase from which two will advance to the six-team Finals.
This is what they had to say.
Donovan Hayles Former national player and Harbour View Football Club coach:
Hayles
"By all means, the first round is certain, I don't think that there'll be anything else. We're going to go through that first round.
"The next round is achievable, but tricky. For me the Mexicans (in CONCACAF) are like the Brazilians in their region. For the Canadians, it's more of a disciplined approach, you cannot fool with them. They'll look unattractive and mechanical, but they'll be very structured. Honduras might be more skilful than the Canadians, but they may be indisciplined - in terms of maintaining their structure - and can get flustered if you're getting the better of them."
Stewart Stephenson President of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA):
Stephenson
"I'm confident we'll qualify from that group (Bahamas or BVI). I don't see The Bahamas or BVI giving us any trouble at all. I don't have any concerns for that situation at all."
Pertaining to the semi-final phase: "It's a tough group but I think we've the capability and once the team is kept together and given enough international exposure, I think we've the depth of players to finish among the top two."
Clyde Jureidini - General manager, Harbour View Football Club:
Jureidini
"For the preliminary group we should be okay to get through.
"The next group, the more serious group, we're not ranked among the top two so we'll have to play every game out of our skin, try to maximise points at home and look to get some points on the road, particularly in Central America, in Honduras and even Mexico.
"The key away game is in Canada. We'll have to get points there. Fortunately, the game will be played in summer and comes before November when the temperature starts to change."
Howard McIntosh Head of the Jamaica Football Federation technical committee:
McIntosh
"I think while the draw itself appears to have put us in a tough grouping, come the semi-final stage the truth is the mettle of the Reggae Boyz will be tested early.
It just means that the programme has to be kick-started immediately to ensure success. At the end of the day it's one step at a time.
"Based on the recent performances (following the Costa Rica draw) I think a lot of things comes down to attitude and I believe the players have the commitment and attitude to get us on the road to South Africa. The chances are much better than it appeared months ago."
Raymond Anderson Third vice-president, JFF
Anderson
"Certainly. We're not planning to play for the half spot. If we want to qualify we've to beat some of those teams (Mexico, Honduras and Canada)."
Commenting on the fact that Jamaica have never beaten Mexico or the United States in senior World Cup qualifying: "This time around we've to really try and change that (beat Mexico and the United States) because South Africa is where we're going and we're not going there to cheer for any other country, we're going there to cheer for the Reggae Boyz.
Regarding this opening assignment: "Bahamas or BVI, that's the hardest one. You can't take nothing for granted. When you've an opponent you feel you can beat that normally turns out to be the most troublesome game. So we've to be ready for that one."
- Audley Boyd
