Defend the Office!
Jamaica look to bounce back against Panama in first home international game since March 2020 Jamaica look to bounce back against Panama in first home international game since March 2020
Published:Sunday | September 5, 2021 | 12:06 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
The first international home game for Jamaica in almost two years could already be a must-win for the Reggae Boyz as they continue their campaign to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Being the only team that failed to get a point in Thursday’s final round opener, Jamaica will take on Panama this afternoon at 5 at a spectator-less National Stadium.
With head coach Theodore Whitmore having the full complement of his 35-man squad to choose from, including West Ham striker Michail Antonio, who could make his debut after a lengthy courtship, the Jamaicans will look to get their journey to Qatar back on track, after their 2-1 defeat to Mexico Thursday night at the Estadio Azteca.
The last time that Jamaica played at home was in March 2020 against Bermuda in Montego Bay before the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to international football. Since then, while Jamaica have managed to return to international play, it has not been in their own backyard, having to go abroad to play their games including the 2021 Gold Cup tournament.
Already facing the gauntlet of multiple road games during the first half of their 14-match schedule, former national goalkeeper Ryan Thompson emphasised the importance of beating Panama in light of their last-minute loss to Mexico in their opener.
“When you play at home, the duty is to get three points. The good thing is that we are going to have all of our players available to us. There is a good chance we can put a stronger team I would say on the field. It is a situation where it is win or go home. You have to look at every World Cup (qualifying game like this),” Thompson told The Gleaner.
“Whoever we put on the field, the expectation is for them to put their heart and soul in it because you have a nation cheering you on. They played well in terms of the effort and we have to give that same amount but the result is important,” Thompson said.
Although they are within their home comforts, it is the opposition that has found the National Stadium a happy hunting ground in previous World Cup qualifying matches.
In their last three qualifying games against Jamaica at the venue, Panama have won twice (2-1: Sept 4, 2004, and 2-0: Nov 13 2015) and drawn one (1-1 March 22, 2013). In 15 matches against Panama, Jamaica have not had a favourable record with three wins, seven draws, and eight defeats.
NEW APPROACH
Following their 0-0 draw with Costa Rica on Thursday, Panama’s head coach Thomas Christiansen said they will have to take a new approach in light of the Reggae Boyz now being able to include their England-based contingent into the squad.
“Against Jamaica, it will be another game, we will see how they will play. They come with new and fresh people who play in England. It’s another game and there will be another approach,” Christiansen said.
Of the 28 players that were called up for the opening games, only 25 made the trip to Kingston with Jose Fajardo, Carlos Harvey, Romeesh Ivey, Ivan Anderson and Jorge Gutierrez remaining in Panama.
Jamaica sit at the bottom of the eight-team table with zero points, while Mexico have the early lead with three. Canada, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador and the United States all have a point by virtue of their draws in their games on Thursday.