MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The equation is for Jamaica to win by two clear goals, or by one goal if they score four or more goals. Anything else and the dream for an appearance at the Russia 2018 World Cup Finals would become a nightmare with devastating effects.

Head Coach Winfried Schaefer, his technical staff and the players are fully aware of the state of affairs, and for that the German is tinkering with changing from his preferred 4-4-2 formation to a 3-5-2 formation that he considers more appropriate at this time.

The Reggae Boyz are placed in this precarious position after being shocked 3-2 by Nicaragua inside Kingston’s National Stadium on Friday night. But it could have been worse, as the visitors had gone three goals up before the hosts dug deep into their reserves and found the character to pull two goals back.

Truth be told, Jamaica created more than enough chances to secure the win, but it appeared one of those games when the ball just would not enter the opponents’ goal.

Much soul-searching has been done and the players have collectively accepted blame for Friday’s loss, and like Schaefer, they believe they can turn around the tie and salvage a place in the Fourth Round.

Kick-off is slated for 7:30 pm (8:30 pm Jamaica time) today at the National Football Stadium here.

“I’m looking for the best formation because we have to make pressure against the defence from Nicaragua, but we can’t play by just running, we have to play with intelligence, with discipline on the field by using the wings, having good cross balls, good corners, and passes to the strikers who have to move,” Schaefer told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“We have good players, we have a good team, but we have to play without nerves, and we have to dominate the match from the first minute, and not like we did at home when we got going 20 minutes in the second half; that was too late,” he added.

“Everybody knows now that they have to concentrate; we have to make two goals and no goals against us. I don’t want to make pressure against the players because they need confidence then we can change this result from the last match.”

The match will be played on an artificial surface, which is very unforgiving for players with a history of joint and tendon problems, like Giles Barnes, who had to withdraw from the team, and Captain Rodolph Austin, who has suffered serious ACL injuries in the past.

But Schaefer, and to some extent, the players have put that fact firmly behind them, as they seek to make do with whatever the situation calls for.

“The surface is not important, what is important is what we give to our team. We can’t speak about the field and give excuses, we need to go out like a strong team with confidence. We have to come back to our teamwork, which was the winner in the Copa America and Gold Cup,” noted Schaefer.

“Together all players play for success,” he reaffirmed.

The team of 23 players, with the exception of Austin, arrived here on Saturday night and held a training session on Sunday at the National Institute of Sports about 15 minutes from the team’s hotel on a soft, yet bumpy grass field.

In Austin’s absence the technical staff went for Lee Williamson to partner Je-Vaughn Watson in central midfield, and they were accompanied by Kemar Lawrence, Christopher Humphrey on either wing, with Demar Phillips slotted in behind the two strikers, Darren Mattocks and Deshorn Brown.

The back three comprised Michael Hector, Adrian Mariappa, who could lead the team if Austin doesn’t play, and Alvas Powell.

The three goalkeepers alternated in gold.

For the second half of Sunday’s session, Schaefer brought in Joel Grant for Phillips, but Andre Clennon did so well on the ‘B’ side that he has now propelled himself in the reckoning, leaving Schaefer with a headache.

Yesterday the coach told the Jamaica Observer that he was even considering Clennon twinning with Mattocks in attack, with Brown occupying the pivot behind them. However, he said he wouldn’t be able to finalise his starting team until after yesterday’s session at the match venue at 5:10 pm (6:10 pm Jamaica time). And the fact that there was uncertainty regarding Austin, did not make the situation any better.

“I don’t know if Rudy (Austin) is coming or not coming today. I told my players if Rudy is coming it is okay, if Rudy is not coming, then it is okay too. The player who plays for him must be happy he got a chance. I know Rudy is a very important player for us, but I know his problem, this is maybe his last chance for a club now, so what can we do?”

Austin was slated to join the team yesterday, but had not yet arrived up to press time.

Also, at Sunday’s session, Hector had to leave the pitch prematurely having overextended a leg in a challenge for the ball. He received immediate ice treatment by the medical staff, but the Observer understands that the “stretched groin” doesn’t appear serious enough to rule him out of today’s game, though it was said that he would have to undergo further evaluations at training yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Nicaraguans arrived here moments before Jamaica on Saturday night to an almost tickertape parade by supporters for their outstanding victory on Friday night.

However, head coach, Costa Rican Henry Duarte, was quick to point out that his team could not afford to party because they had not accomplished anything as yet and that Jamaica, the superior team physically, will again start favourite to win the tie.

“I am preoccupied about the recuperation of the players,” Duarte told the media.

“We have decided that we are not going to be partying because we have to rest. Some players are carrying injuries, such as Luis Copete Murillo, nevertheless we believe in God and I hope all goes well.”

But the Jamaicans appear ready to fix the problems which emanated on Friday, and they believe that they have the experience, the quality and the mentality to reverse the results and secure their place in Group B of the CONCACAF Fouth Round.

Jamaica squad: Andre Blake, Dwayne Miller, DuWayne Kerr, Joel Grant, Simon Dawkins, Lance Laing, Michael Seaton, Adrian Mariappa, Lee Williamson, Kemar Lawrence, Romeo Parkes, Darren Mattocks, Andre Clennon, Upston Edwards, Je-Vaughn Watson, Deshorn Brown, Michael Hector, Christopher Humphrey, Sergio Campbell, Hughan Gray, Rosario Harriott, Demar Phillips, Alvas Powell.