Back to basics
Moore wants Mexico fighting spirit vs Costa Rica
Published:Wednesday | September 8, 2021 | 12:08 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Facing the prospect of no wins from their opening three World Cup qualifying games, national defender Liam Moore says that a return to the basics that almost brought a positive result in Mexico will be required when Jamaica face Costa Rica tonight at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica at 8.
The Reggae Boyz started their Qatar 2022 campaign with a narrow 2-1 loss to Mexico last Thursday at the Estadio Azteca and were thumped by Panama 3-0 in their home opener on Sunday. The team features the 23-man squad that travelled to Mexico without the majority of their England-based contingent who were only available for the Panama game because of COVID-19 restrictions.
In the aftermath of the 2-1 loss to Mexico, national defender Damion Lowe praised the character and fight shown in the game although they conceded a late goal, which denied them a point after Shamar Nicholson got the equaliser in the 65th minute following Alexis Vega’s 50th-minute strike for Mexico.
Moore, in an interview with the RJRGLEANER Group, said the Boyz must display that same grit in order to get a result in San Jose.
FUNDAMENTALS
“I have faith in them. We were really unlucky against Mexico not to get something. But if we go back to the fundamentals that were clear for everybody to see against Mexico, that will put us in great stead against Costa Rica,” Moore said.
While Moore will be among the England-based players unavailable for the game, defender Adrian Mariappa, goalkeeper Dillon Barnes and midfielder Anthony Grant are all available and travelled to Costa Rica on Monday.
The team also avoided disaster as Kemar Lawrence and Norman Campbell rejoined the squad after having their documentation issues resolved thanks to the intervention of the Jamaican Government. The pair initially were not allowed to enter the country because they did not meet the immigration requirements.
SEVENTH PLACE
Meanwhile, Costa Rica have a point to their name and are in seventh place in the table, one above Jamaica. However, they are in a similar predicament of having lost their home opener, a 1-0 defeat to Mexico on Sunday in San Jose.
After the game, Costa Rica head coach Luis Fernando Suarez says he sees tonight’s fixture as a must-win for his side in order to muster a prompt response to the Mexico game.
“This game would give us that situation to add. It is not important to lose chances so early but it would give us more confidence. Victory is a priority situation,” said Suarez.
Costa Rican defender Kendall Watson also said that the team was now fully focused on the match against Jamaica.
“It was obvious, more than anything that a team was going to get higher but there is still a long way to go, a game is won and the situation changes. Now Jamaica is the most important rival,” he said.