Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
NO EASE UP!
Jamaica’s Reggae Boy Shamar Nicholson kicks the ball during team training at Sabina Park in Kingston. (Photo: JFF)
Football, Sports
BY PAUL A REID Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com  
September 5, 2025

NO EASE UP!

McClaren urges high-level display from Reggae Boyz versus Bermuda

Jamaica’s head coach Steve McClaren has vowed to “respect” hosts Bermuda and “treat the game right” when they meet in the Concacaf FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the national stadium in Hamilton, starting at 5:00 (Jamaica time) this afternoon.

The game is one of two in Zone B, as Trinidad and Tobago are set to host Curacao, also on Friday.

The injury-hit Reggae Boyz are trying to get back to the senior men’s World Cup for the first time since their inaugural qualification for the France 1998 showpiece.

McClaren said he is wary of what the Bermudans are capable of after the coaching staff watched video footage of them in action. “They have great spirit. I think before we think of anything about tactics, about how we’re going to score, strengths, weaknesses, how we’re going to defend, we have to respect Bermuda,” he said.

The winner of each of the three groups at this stage will earn direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup, joining hosts United States, Canada and Mexico. Another two teams from Concacaf could also advance, as the best two runners-up will feature in inter-continental play-offs in March 2026.

Optimism is high that Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will be able to book a spot for the ‘Big Show’ next year but they will go into the game against Bermuda without a number of regular starters due to injuries.

Regular captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake suffered a hamstring injury while representing his Major League Soccer team Philadelphia Union and winger Leon Bailey was injured during his first training session with new club AS Roma.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boy Kaheim Dixon trains at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Midfielder Joel Latibeaudiere, defender Di’Shon Bernard and striker Bobby DeCordova-Reid are others not on the squad list because of various ailments, while there are concerns over the fitness of Ethan Pinnock, Amari’i Bell and first-time invitee Ian Fray.

Pinnock, Bell and Demarai Gray were to have been assessed by the team’s medical personnel on Thursday, the
Jamaica Observer was also told.

Since naming his squad for the first two games last week, McClaren has added Jamoi Topey, Ronaldo Webster and goalkeeper Kemar Foster.

Regardless of the forced omissions and question marks, Jamaica will be defending a seven-game record against Bermuda who are ranked 162nd on the FIFA charts. Bermuda moved up six places since July after beating Cayman Islands 5-0 and Cuba 2-1 in the previous round of World Cup qualifying.

Jamaica were 2-0 winners the last time the teams met, in March 2020, with Jourdain Fletcher and Kemar Beckford scoring the goals.

However, McClaren insisted that the Jamaicans have to be careful going into the game.

“We need to match Bermuda’s spirit. If we do that, then we have a good chance of winning the game. If we don’t do that, Bermuda can be very dangerous. I don’t expect to win this game fairly comfortably,” he reiterated.

He pointed to results against common opponents that both Jamaica and Bermuda played against recently and gave them credit for their performances. They beat Cuba twice and led Honduras 2-0 at half-time before eventually losing and also competed gamely against Dominican Republic.

The Jamaican team, he said however, had been in tough games and is ready.

“We’ve experienced these games where we’re expected to win. And we have to be professional, do our job, make sure we match the spirit and make sure that we get the win. That’s what we came here for. It’s what we expect, and therefore we have to deliver.”

The Englishman conceded they are without some experienced players but was banking on others to step up.

“We brought in very good players. They are young players, they’re inexperienced players — this will be fantastic for them, but we’re not talking about experience. We’re talking about coming here and getting the job done and using the experienced players that we’ve got to make sure that we do the job and find a way to win.”

McClaren said his players have prepared well for the game.

“They’ve been great, to be fair, their attitudes — they’re young, they are enthusiastic, they listen, they want to learn and the training has been very good,” he said.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boy Richard King (left) chases the ball as head coach Steve McClaren looks on during team training at Sabina Park.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boy Richard King (left) chases the ball as head coach Steve McClaren looks on during team training at Sabina Park.

Jamaica’s goalkeeper Jahmali Waite practises at Sabina Park.

Jamaica’s goalkeeper Jahmali Waite practises at Sabina Park.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz train at Sabina Park in Kingston in September 2025.Photos: JFF

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz train at Sabina Park in Kingston in September 2025. (Photos: JFF)

{"xml":"xml"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Labourer charged with 2011 double murder in St Elizabeth
Latest News, News
Labourer charged with 2011 double murder in St Elizabeth
December 21, 2025
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — A 41-year-old labourer has been charged in connection with the murder of two men in Middle Quarters, St Elizabeth in 2011. The...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: Barnswell honoured for rescuing abducted six-year-old
Latest News, News
WATCH: Barnswell honoured for rescuing abducted six-year-old
December 21, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Councillor for the Hayes Division, Scean Barnswell has been honoured by the Clarendon Municipal Corporation after he and his wife ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Carl Meeks rides timeless beats with ‘Classeeks’
Entertainment, Latest News
Carl Meeks rides timeless beats with ‘Classeeks’
December 21, 2025
Classeeks , the second album for 2025 from singer Carl Meeks, was released on December 12. It is produced by Cedrik “Kiko” Ynesta of France for the Ru...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Why I backed the JLP’s crime plan?’
Latest News, News
‘Why I backed the JLP’s crime plan?’
Keith Duncan says he was sold on strategy presented by Dr Chang
Lynford Simpson | Observer Writer 
December 21, 2025
Government Senator Keith Duncan has moved to explain why he backed the crimefighting plan of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Administration, revealing ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Caribbean immigrant advocacy group condemns Trump’s latest travel ban
Latest News, Regional
Caribbean immigrant advocacy group condemns Trump’s latest travel ban
December 21, 2025
NEW YORK, United States (CMC) – The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella policy and advocacy organisation that represents over 200 immig...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Hanover residents urged to remain vigilant against leptospirosis
Latest News, News
Hanover residents urged to remain vigilant against leptospirosis
December 21, 2025
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — The Hanover Health Department is urging continued vigilance against leptospirosis even as new and suspected cases of the diseas...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: Woman dead, daughter and grandkids injured, in Manchester crash
Latest News, News
WATCH: Woman dead, daughter and grandkids injured, in Manchester crash
December 21, 2025
MANCHESTER, Jamaica— A 57-year-old woman is dead and three other people, including her daughter and two grandchildren, have been hospitalised after th...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaican-born pastor pleads guilty to tax evasion scheme in New York
Latest News, Regional
Jamaican-born pastor pleads guilty to tax evasion scheme in New York
December 21, 2025
NEW YORK, United States (CMC) – A Jamaican-born pastor at a church in Brooklyn, New York, has pleaded guilty in US federal court to a tax evasion sche...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct