Reggae Boyz beat Bermuda 2-0 in friendly international
The
Reggae Boyz defeated Bermuda 2-0 in their friendly international at the Montego
Bay Sports Complex in St James on Wednesday.
The
victory was spearheaded by goals from Jordaine Fletcher in the 42nd
minute and Kemar Beckford in the 80th. Both play for Red Stripe
Premier League’s contender Mount Pleasant Football Academy from St Ann.
Fletcher scored from the top of the 18-yard box with a left-footer while Beckford tapped in a left-side cross from Kemal Malcolm.
With
the win, the Reggae Boyz are expected to at least maintain their 48th-ranked
spot on the FIFA rankings, which will enable them to get into the CONCACAF
hexagonal to better their chances of qualifying for the FIFA 2020 World Cup in
Qatar.
According
to the CONCACAF rules, the top six CONCACAF teams in the FIFA rankings at the
end of June will play in the hexagonal for three places to the World Cup. The
teams ranked below sixth, will be placed in groups with the winners of each
group advancing to a knockout phase.
The
top team from the knockout will play the fourth-placed team from the hexagonal,
with the winner of that match advancing to the inter-continental playoffs for a
place in the World Cup.
The
Reggae Boyz’ 48th FIFA position, places them fourth in CONCACAF,
behind Mexico, who are at 11th, the USA at 22 and Costa Rica at 46th.
The
Reggae Boyz will automatically qualify for the hexagonal should they keep their
fourth-placed ranking at the end of June.
