The much-anticipated regional Digicel Caribbean Cup Football Finals kick off this evening with a Group A double-header at the National Stadium, starting at 5 o'clock.

BARNES... long term, we want to get to the final and win

Hosts Jamaica will tackle Barbados in the feature game at 7:00, while Trinidad & Tobago take on Grenada in the
opening match.

After failing to advance to the CONCACAF World Cup Final phase, the Reggae Boyz are seeking to save face and make a good impression by winning this tournament.

The team is under the guidance of former England international, John Barnes, who recently began his stint and is on his first official assignment as Jamaica's new coach.

Barnes said getting to and winning the final is the team's long-term ambition. However, he said their present focus is on preparing for the Barbados match and qualifying from the group stage.

"Long term, we want to get to the final and win... but the only way we're going to get there is to take care of business on the training field, first in our attitude and then the Barbados match.

"So while the final is a long way away, all we are focusing on is Barbados... Yes, we're thinking about winning the final, but if we don't beat Barbados and... Grenada and get the desired result we won't get a chance of winning the Cup," he told the Observer.

He added: "When you tend to look so far down the line... you forget about playing Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad first. So what we have to do is take every game as it comes and have the same attitude in every single game and every training session and that is what I've been stressing to the players," he added.

The Liverpool legend said he is looking for the public to get behind the team and give the players their full support as they did in the World Cup qualifiers, as this could make the difference. However, he said he was also working on creating the Boyz's own playing style and philosophy.

"... The fans have a big part to play in just getting behind us as they did against Mexico, Honduras and Canada. It's going to be equally as important to get behind us in these matches," Barnes pointed out.

The former England winger said everyone has the Trinidad game as the big match but he is looking to go into that game with a second-round spot secured.

He is also asking for a disciplined and professional attitude from the players for today's match.

"They're adopting the correct attitudes to be professional footballers and they're bringing that back here... Hopefully it will make them play cohesively rather than from an individual point of view, because that's what Jamaicans and the crowd love," he noted.

But the Jamaican coach refused to disclose his starting team saying that it would give an advantage to
his opponent.

Meanwhile, Barbados' technical director, Roberto Rodrigo of Argentina, said his team has high hopes of going past the first round and is keen on getting a winning start against the hosts.

According to Rodrigo, the team has a number of experienced local-based players; however, it is the fighting spirit of the team which he believes will carry them through.

"We have a lot of players with experience in the local league and we have fighting players in the team, so our strong quality is our fight and that is the biggest quality we have to try and achieve a good result for our team.

"In midfield we have players with lots of experience like John Parris and Gregory our forward, but I don't know the team of Jamaica, so our players I am worried for them because we have had a short time to prepare...," he said.

Meanwhile, an under-strength Trinidad & Tobago - the only Caribbean side to qualify for the CONCACAF World Cup Final Round - take on the Anthony Modeste-led Spice Boys of Grenada.

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!