JAMAICA defender Michael Hector says lowly ranked Central American side Nicaragua will not be taken lightly when the teams meet this evening at 8:00 in the first encounter of the World Cup qualifying two-legged tie at the National Stadium.

The return game will be played at Nicaragua’s base in Managua on Tuesday.

“We got to be professional and get the job done and I think that is what we are going to do in these next two games,” said the central defender during Wednesday evening’s training session at Stadium East field.

Riding high on creditable displays at the CONMEBOL Copa America and a historic run to the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup — both during the summer — the Reggae Boyz have climbed up the FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking and are in 52nd place.

Nicaragua, despite being nestled in close proximity to some of the region’s top teams, are all the way down in 139th position.

Hector, who recently signed for English Premier League champions Chelsea FC, says Jamaica’s accomplishments at the Copa America and the Gold Cup were due to a higher level of professionalism amongst squad members.

Given that progression and the talented players that Jamaica possess, he feels qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia is a realistic dream.

“I think in the two tournaments we’ve been a lot more professional and a lot more serious in the training sessions and the meetings and stuff like that. I think that’s only going to help us to sort of grow to where we should be.

“Getting to the World Cup is what we should be looking to do and looking to achieve. I don’t know why in the past it has not happened because the quality of the players in this country is of a very high standard. It’s just getting that balance of being professional and doing things right,” Hector said.

Jamaica qualified for the France 1998 World Cup.

— Sanjay Myers