ALTHOUGH needing just a point to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Nations League (CNL) A, Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren says winning in front of the home support is the main objective as they take on Honduras at the National Stadium this evening, starting at 8:00 pm.

The Jamaicans have been unbeaten since the start of the competition, with two wins and a draw which see them leading Group B on seven points, ahead of their opponents Honduras who sit second on six.

The top two from the group will advance to the last eight, but while top spot will be on the line the national senior men’s team need to avoid defeat as third-place Nicaragua, who are on four points, can overtake them with a win against French Guiana.

McClaren says victory is a must for the team as they seek to avoid potential drama.

“We started [the group] with a disappointing draw — which we should have won — but we’ve put ourselves in a position to finish top of the group so, finish the job. That’s what we say. [During] the last five minutes, if you’re 1-0 up, 2-1 up, finish the job — that’s the message to the players,” he said.

“To finish the job, we need to win the game. That’s the most important [thing]. You’re playing at home, playing in front of your supporters, so you’re playing for them. Not to entertain but to perform, have a good game, win and, as I said, finish the job.”

Last month, the Boyz secured a 2-1 win away against the Hondurans, extending their unbeaten streak to seven matches against the Central American side since 2017.

Forward Demarai Gray’s first goal on Jamaican soil was against Honduras in a 1-0 win in September 2023. He believes the team can continue their run but aren’t underestimating their opponents.

“I think [during the] the last camp [when] we played them was very difficult. They have a lot of quality and they’re quite free in the way they play — they’re not a team where you can say they’re going to do this and that. They’re a physical team as well, so I think as a team we’re well aware of the threats they have and it’s for us to control and maintain. We’ll focus on what we need to do best; and I think once we do that, we should win the game,” reasoned Gray.

After seeing over 17,000 fans at the National Stadium last month against Cuba, Gray says the home support will be vital to get the team over the line.

“I think the stature of Jamaica itself, the Jamaican culture all over the world is very popular; it’s an honour to represent the country and play. I’m always looking forward to the stadium being full and sold out one day — and that’s [the same desire] for many of us. Having that atmosphere and the 12th man is massively important, and I’ve played football long enough to know how much it can intimidate teams as well. Plus, with the quality we have, teams are intimidated already so with the fans it’s just an extra bonus for us.”

Although being out-possessed in their last two encounters, including against Honduras, McClaren says he wants his team to show more courage as he continues to implement his style of play.

“The first message from day one was: ‘Be brave — take the ball and deal with the ball. And that is still the message now, and I’ve been impressed. We’ve made mistakes, we’ve had errors, we don’t do it very well sometimes, but we’re growing,” said McClaren.

“We’re not there yet — honestly, we’re miles away — but I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made. We’re trying to keep it simple but trying to build something which, I think, with the quality of the team and the squad, can go to the next level. We’re not dominant [nor] comfortable at the present moment but the key thing is, we’re working hard.”

In respect to team news, striker Michail Antonio and midfielder Kasey Palmer — who missed the Nicaragua game on Thursday — are expected to make a return after recovering from injury while Mount Pleasant Football Academy midfielder Jahshaun Anglin has been called up in place of Vice-Captain Damion Lowe who is suspended for the clash.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Andre Blake, Shaquan Davis, Jahmali Waite

Defenders: Ethan Pinnock, Mason Holgate, Dexter Lembikisa, Jon Bell, Tayvon Gray, Richard King, Greg Leigh

Midfielders: Bobby Reid, Kasey Palmer, Joel Latibeaudiere, Tyreek Magee, Karoy Anderson, Kevon Lambert, Jahshaun Anglin

Forwards: Michail Antonio, Kaheim Dixon, Demarai Grey, Renaldo Cephas, Norman Campbell, Romario Williams

MCCLAREN… to finish the job, we need to win the game. That’s the most important [thing]. You’re playing at home, playing in front of your supporters, so you’re playing for them (Photo: Garfield Robinson)