JAMAICA’S Reggae Boyz will be expecting an improved performance when they take on Dominica in their Concacaf World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica, at 2:00 pm Jamaica time today.

The Jamaicans are coming off a 1-0 win over the Dominican Republic in Kingston on Thursday, and will see seeking a win that would at least keep pace with Guatemala who beat Dominica 6-0 at home on Wednesday and the British Virgin Islands 3-0 yesterday.

A first-half goal from Shamar Nicholson was the difference for the Jamaicans in Kingston but the coaching staff thought they should have scored more goals, especially in the second half.

Assistant Coach Merron Gordon said in a press conference yesterday they would not be taking the Dominican team lightly, despite their big loss earlier, and the approach would be the same as against any other team in the competition.

Ellington Sabin, the head coach of the Dominican team, issued a warning that they would be taking the game to the Jamaicans.

“The last game is behind us and we are ready for the challenge,” he said in a press conference.

Jamaica and Dominica are meeting for only the second time at the senior level — after a 0-0 draw in a Caribbean Cup game at the same venue in 1989 — and an unlikely win by nine goals by the Boyz would see them take the lead of Group E on goal difference.

Despite assurances by Sabin, there are suggestions that the players are not satisfied with their federation and a meeting had been scheduled between the players and Glen Etienne, president of the association, on Saturday — less than 24 hours before kick-off.

Sabin denied there were any talks by any of the players to boycott the game or that it was about remuneration, saying instead his players are in “high spirits” and that he is not ruling out a win.

“We never lay down,” he said.

It appears some of the discontent surrounds their trip to play Guatemala, where he said they got a “hostile reception”, but added that the plan against Jamaica is “to bring the fight to them and remain competitive”.

Sabin claimed the performance was not what he was expecting.

“This is not the team I have been seeing in training since February,” he said, and agreed that conceding early goals was not what they were expecting after going behind as early as the second minute against Guatemala.

When he faced the media Gordon said the Jamaicans were, “Confident but not overconfident.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground,” he said, adding that all the players in the squad are eligible for selection for the game.

Gordon said some of the players’ whose club seasons had ended about a month ago had shown some “match rustiness”.

Getting to the World Cup in 2026, he said, is almost a must for the Jamaicans. And with the USA, Mexico and Canada qualified as hosts the path could be easier, but he is still wary.

“It’s going to be tough for us; as you know, we are kind of the flag bearers for the Caribbean and so playing any Caribbean team is always tough for us,” Gordon said. “[But] you know what? We’re looking forward to the challenge and, hopefully, we can take this team to the World Cup.”

The Jamaican team was not at full strength on Thursday but with the number of regular starters out it presented opportunities for younger players.

“They acquitted themselves well, especially with changes,” he said. “They came on and put some life in the game, but three points was the most important thing.”

The Reggae Boyz looked particularly dangerous on the counter-attack which produced the only goal and a second-half penalty which was missed, with Renaldo Cephas involved in both moves.

Head Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had pulled veteran players Damion Lowe and Michael Hector on Thursday after both picked up cautions, and both could start again today.

Bobby Decordova-Reid, who took the captain’s armband after Lowe’s departure; Michail Antonio, who drew extra defenders every time he touched the ball; and Nicholson should retain their places.