GOOD practice. That's what the Reggae Boyz wanted, got and should be gearing for more later in their 2010 World Cup qualifying series opener against Bahamas.

Based on the record of countries that are virtually assured to compete against Jamaica in the next round of the eliminations (Mexico, Canada and Honduras), the semi-final phase is going to be tough.

Additionally, René Simoes, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical director and head coach of the Boyz, is not too familiar with the vast majority of the players, especially those who are based overseas, and many of them are not accustomed to playing together.

Only two of the four who will play in the next stage of qualification, which involves three groups, will advance to the CONCACAF finals. The top three will automatically claim a World Cup Finals berth in South Africa, and a fourth play-off for a spot.

Play opponents confidently

Mexico are ranked 14th, the United States of America, 21st and Honduras, 37th. There is a general belief that Mexico, given its class and a tradition embellished in the fact that it has hosted two World Cup finals previously, and the US must qualify from CONCACAF. But the Boyz must be confident to play their game against any and every opponent to enhance their chances.

Without ever beating them, Jamaica have always been very competitive against the US, and even unlucky at times not to beat them, while the battles outside Mexico have been getting closer.

Canada have been getting better recently and Honduras are tough, but both are beatable.

At this stage of the 2010 qualifying series, Honduras have already advanced (6-2 on aggregate after brushing aside Puerto Rico 4-0 in Honduras and drawing 2-2 in the return match Saturday), Canada went to St Vincent and blanked the homesters 3-0 in first-leg action on Sunday, while Mexico had beaten Belize 2-0 on Saturday.

If judgement was to be made solely on the basis of these results, there is a clear indication that teams are closing the gap in international football. Having said that, however, the vast disparities in class are generally more visible at these early stages of the qualifiers, where the seeded teams - based on their ranking in the confederation and FIFA - are normally paired with those at the bottom of the barrel.

Hence, they are expected to give them a trouncing, although winning is what really matters.

In Sunday's qualifier against Bahamas, the Reggae Boyz did both - quite emphatically at that - and it was as much a learning exercise as their loss against Grenada earlier last week.

Players' selection

Given limited preparation - in terms of time actually spent training and matches - the selection of senior players virtually certain to play well against these teams, such as Tyrone Marshall, Ian Goodison, Ricardo Gardner, Andy Williams and Marlon King, as well as their strategic placement, was not surprising.

Rudolph Austin at central midfield was expected, even though he played from the flank link position in the SVG warm-up. The insertion of young Reno player Evon Taylor at midfield was a bit surprising. Simoes is certainly giving him the test as he services his train for the long haul.

It will be interesting to see what other strategic moves the coach will make while preparing the Boyz for stronger challenges.

Significantly, though, they scored seven goals. That's plenty in any one match, regardless of the calibre of the opponent, plus the fact that six different players put their name on the scoresheet, all of whom are basically a part of the attacking component of the team.

The strikers accounted for three with Luton Shelton, fortuitously in the starting line-up due to an injury to Ricardo Fuller, taking his chance with both hands to net a double, while King converted another and midfielders Williams, Phillips, Gardner and Omar Daley who came in as a sub, all added their bit of touch to the finishing.

Bahamas are never going to get back in this tie and Jamaica have more important business to prepare for, so there will be plenty of opportunities for others to get a chance to prove their worth for what's to come, the real thing.

Let's see how they measure up against opponents who are decent enough for good practice.