THERE can be no doubt that Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz played good football while defeating Bermuda 4-0 in their Concacaf World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Tuesday evening.

There was solidity and composure in all areas, and admirable creativity and flair in attack.

Indeed, it seems fair to say that in terms of the aesthetic quality of their football, this was the best showing by Jamaica’s senior men’s national team for some time.

Yet, we must not forget that they were up against the weakest side in the final-phase qualifying group. Bermuda have been comfortably beaten by all opponents so far.

In other words, the odds on the Reggae Boyz losing to Bermuda in Kingston were too long to seriously contemplate.

In our view, the more pertinent result on Tuesday night was the 1-1 stalemate between Curacao and visitors Trinidad and Tobago.

That drawn game, coupled with the Reggae Boyz victory in Kingston, meant that the Jamaicans returned to the top of the table — by one point — having been briefly relegated to second following their 0-2 away loss to Curacao last week.

Yet even as those with a statistical bent probe possible permutations, it seems to us that for the Jamaican players and their coaches, the best bet is to keep it simple and win their remaining two games next month: That’s beating Trinidad and Tobago away, and Curacao in Kingston. However, it should be noted that if the Jamaicans defeat Curacao in that final match they will top the group, no matter any other result.

Once they get that done, they will have automatically qualified for next year’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Of course, it’s all easier said than done.

From this distance we suspect that overcoming long-time arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago on their soil will be especially difficult. Quite apart from World Cup qualification, our sister Caricom country has much to prove, given their strong belief that when they lost 0-2 in Kingston last month they really should have come away with at least a draw.

Readers may recall that the Trinidadians netted thrice, only for celebrations to be cut short on each occasion by the offside call — twice by VAR and once by the on-field officials.

For the record, Jamaica lead the group on nine points, Curacao are second on eight, Trinidad and Tobago are third on five. Bermuda, with zero points, are out of contention.

Only the group winners are guaranteed a spot at the World Cup.

We are happy that Jamaica’s Head Coach Mr Steve McClaren seems to be now of the view that he has a settled squad, notwithstanding fierce competition for places in the starting team and on the bench.

Our reporter tells us that the squad for the October window of qualifiers included, “11 different players compared to [that] selected exactly a year ago”.

Said Mr McClaren of the performance against Bermuda: “We had good balance in the team and good structure, which is always important. Good discipline all the way through and control… through possession…”

Like us, he was clearly impressed with his team’s attacking play, noting that, “that’s how we want to play in that final third, which was at times excellent”.

Now to those last two qualifiers next month.