‘We must be patient’

FORMER NATIONAL defenders Linval Dixon and Shavar Thomas are urging the Reggae Boyz to stay hungry, patient and fully locked in ahead of Tuesday’s must-win Concacaf FIFA World Cup final-round Group B showdown against Curaçao at the National Stadium.

Jamaica, sitting second on 10 points, must defeat group leaders Curaçao, who are on 11, to secure qualification for what would be just the Reggae Boyz second-ever FIFA World Cup appearance. Reggae Boyz played out a 1-1 draw against hosts Trinidad and Tobago at the Hasley Crawford on Thursday, while Curacao thrashed Bermuda 7-0 in the group’s other game.

Dixon, a key figure in Jamaica’s historic 1998 World Cup qualification campaign, said the team must balance urgency with composure.

“We must be patient because the game is not going to finish in one minute, it will finish after 90-plus minutes,” Dixon said.

“We have to motivate the players to understand that, listen, ‘this is a do-or-die situation for us and we have to dig deep and fight together as a team’.”

Recalling the 1998 qualifier against Mexico, where Jamaica only needed a draw, Dixon, who made 127 appearances for the Reggae Boyz between 1993 and 2003, noted that the squad adopted a steely resolve.

“As a team we told ourselves that they are not going to score on us no matter what,” he said. “Well, Tuesday night, we have to score and have confidence that they can’t score. We have to believe that, talk about that, and dream about that.”

Dixon stressed the importance of the home crowd support inside the National Stadium on Tuesday because he stated that the team needs all the cheers that they can get to help them to this victory.

“We are at home and our supporters will be there pushing them. We need that spirit,” he said. “Tuesday night will be the night for the country to celebrate and to full joy the moment. We are just one win away – we just have to be confident, keep our focus, and not think about the negatives.”

Thomas, who represented Jamaica 52 times between 1999 and 2012, echoed Dixon’s sentiment, adding that a win would lift national morale following the devastation caused by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which has resulted in the death of at least 45 people.

“To be honest, just win the game and we advance to the World Cup,” Thomas said.

“In light of Hurricane Melissa, this will take a bit off the minds of the people. It will bring joy knowing what the country went through.”

Thomas said he expects a massive turnout and plans to be among the supporters.

“I know the fans will come out and I will be there because Jamaica qualifying will be a historic moment,” he said. “The last time I wasn’t at the game when they qualified in 1998.”

Thomas pointed out that the Reggae Boyz must adopt a warrior-like mentality going into the game on Tuesday.

“The mindset must be an all-in approach and a must-win approach there is no way around it,” he stressed.

“It is winning your duels, it is man against man, as they know what is at stake. Everybody should be in the mindset that we are going to win the game on Tuesday.”