‘Ten toes in the sand’Former Reggae Boy Marshall optimistic about World Cup qualifying chances
Former
national defender Tyrone Marshall says he is optimistic Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will qualify for their second-ever FIFA World Cup based on the group they were drawn in for the final qualifying round.
Jamaica, placed in pot 1, was drawn in Group B with Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago (TTO), and Bermuda.
Marshall, a former right back, but remembered fondly for a wonder-strike which won Jamaica a World Cup qualifying game 1-0 against TTO in 2001, says while all the teams in the group should be taken seriously, he anticipates them being the biggest challenge for Jamaica.
“I’m very optimistic about our chances,” he told the
Jamaica Observer. “I think Trinidad is the strongest opponent in the group; however, you never know what Curacao and Bermuda can do. In the past, those teams haven’t given us any problems…”
Marshall says it’s vital that Jamaica win its home games.
“When you play at home, you take your opportunities there,” he said. “That means you win your games at home and then go on the road and get results. I don’t think we should be in a difficult spot, seeing the personnel that we have.
“We just have to put our heads down and make sure that we have 10 toes in the sand and everybody is pushing in the same direction. I hope the federation and the country and everyone are putting in all the effort necessary to make sure the squad has the best opportunity and best support needed to get to this next stage… [I] can’t wait to support these guys as they look to move into the next stage.”
With Concacaf’s new qualifying format, the winner of the group after games against each team home and away in the September, October, and November FIFA match windows, receives an automatic qualifying spot for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.
The two best second-placed teams from the three groups will advance to a FIFA Intercontinental Play-Off, to be played in March 2026.
— Rachid Parchment
Group A
Panama
El Salvador
Guatemala
Suriname
Group B
Jamaica
Curacao
Trinidad and Tobago
Bermuda
Group C
Costa Rica
Honduras
Haiti
Nicaragua
