‘We’re not taking this game lightly’

REGGAE BOYZ assistant coach Merron Gordon said the team’s agenda today will be to leave Windsor Park, where they take on Dominica in a Concacaf World Cup qualifier, with three more points to their Group E tally.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference yesterday, Gordon said the team was expected to make it two wins from as many games following their opening victory against the Dominican Republic at the National Stadium on Thursday.

“Three points,” he said.

“We’re looking forward to the game. Last game was a tough one, most of the players had their last game a month ago for their club teams, so you know they were kind of rusty. But the most important thing is that we got three points and now we move on to this game.”

Gordon said though injuries have ruled out several of the team’s mainstays ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, he was confident the talent in the squad was enough to continue Jamaica’s positive start to the tournament.

He pointed to the young players who made appearances in the Boyz’s last outing as proof they are ready to step in for the more experienced players.

“We have a few injuries of some of our main starters, but it was a good opportunity for young players to showcase themselves and I think they acquitted themselves well, especially our changes. We brought in some young players, and they came on and put some life in the game.

“We had a few more chances and the game could have finished with more than just a goal, but such is football. As I said before, the three points were the most important thing.”

Dominica enter the fixture with a less-than-impressive record following a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Guatemala on Wednesday.

However, Gordon said the previous results will not influence Jamaica’s preparations as they expect a fiery performance from the Dominican team, who will be playing in front of their home crowd.

“We’re not taking this game lightly. This game is as important as playing any top team in the world,” he explained.

“We are the team in the Caribbean that most people want to beat. I’m not looking at the 6-0 game to compare what tomorrow will be like. I know Dominica will come guns blazing. They are at home and want to win back support from their supporters, so I think it is going to be a tough one.”

The match will be played at the Windsor Park with kick-off set for 2 p.m.