2 months ago
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WITH JAMAICA to host Curaçao at the National Stadium in their final match of Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren has called on the fans’ support in what could prove a pivotal match.
The Boyz are on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will play Trinidad and Tobago and Curaçao in their final two games of the qualifiers.
Jamaica lead Group B with nine points, just ahead of Curaçao, eight, and Trinidad and Tobago, five.
Bermuda, out of contention for a World Cup spot, are fourth in the group without a point.
Jamaica will face Trinidad on November 13 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, before hosting Curaçao at the National Stadium on November 18.
With the match against Curaçao being the final match of the qualifiers, and expected to be a decisive game in Jamaica’s qualifying ambitions, McClaren has called for a strong fan turnout at the National Stadium.
“We need to be able to feel what the people are feeling as well,” McClaren said in a press conference yesterday.
“If we can come together as one and get the feeling of the island and get the feeling of the people, because they’re the most important.
“The people on this island, the families, the friends, and the Jamaicans all over the world, they will be so proud if we achieve this. So that’s the mindset we’ve had from day one.”
McClaren said it will be important for the players to know they have the support of the Jamaican fans in their pursuit of a second-ever World Cup appearance.
He said he would like to see the fans turn out at the National Stadium even before kick-off, so that the team can walk out to roaring applause.
This, he said, will be essential in creating a strong atmosphere at home.
“I can’t stress the importance of the game is 8 o’clock. We want to see the crowd there at 6 o’clock. We want to see that when we pull up on the coach,” he explained.
“We want to see them when we walk on to the field, to look at the field. We need to see them when we’re doing the warm-up. We need them to be behind the noise, the music, the smiles, the motivation,” McClaren continued.
“We want to see the lights and the eyes of the people, to see how much it means to them, to know it means that much also, to the players who are performing to give to the people.”
McClaren said his players know what is at stake, and are ready to give their all as they look to top Group B.
Only the group winners will qualify for the World Cup, with the two best second-place teams advancing to the intercontinental playoffs.
English (US) ·