By Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Guatemalan defender Nestor Martinez (left) shields the ball from Jamaica's Khari Stephenson in Sunday's first-leg CONCACAF Olympic qualifying game at the National Stadium. Jamaica won 2-0. - Norman Grindley
JAMAICA'S UNDER-23 squad left here yesterday for Guatemala fully intent on keeping the two-goal advantage they secured in their first leg CONCACAF Under-23 Olympic qualifier at the National Stadium on Sunday.
"It's going to be a tough game because of the altitude, but I'd be happy with a 1/2-nil advantage and we have two (goals) so we intend to keep them," said Peter Cargill, the team's coach.
Striker Luton Shelton scored both goals for the Jamaicans who are looking to qualify for the next stage of the qualifiers in Guada-lajara, Mexico, next year.
GOOD POSITION
Cargill warned though that the good position they now hold is no guarantee for a place in the next round.
"It's not a time to celebrate yet. We have two goals going into the second-leg and we have to keep them," he said.
The Jamaicans have been forced to make two changes to the squad which won Sunday's opener as overseas-based Bradley Thomas and Jamal Campbell-Royce are unavailable.
Thomas is out through an accumulation of yellow cards and Campbell-Royce, who plays for English Premiership team Charl-ton Athletic, has business obligations.
Their places in the squad will be taken by Arnett Gardens defender Alex Thomas and Waterhouse midfielder Weston Forrest.
Campbell-Royce's inclusion will certainly be missed because, while he hasn't enjoyed much playing time thus far, his performance in Sunday's first leg shows him to be a quality player who has the ability to change the nature of a game.
With almost every touch that he made last Sunday he produced scoring opportunities for others.
These changes do not affect the shape of the team slated to take on the Guatemalans with both changes being straight defender for defender and midfielder for midfielder swaps.
STARTING LINE-UP
However, many football pundits are questioning the rationale for the starting line-up that appears to be the standard for the U-23 team. Khari Stephenson's second half substitution, for instance, was met with massive crowd approval on Sunday and the general consensus is one of befuddlement as to his consistent inclusion in the starting 11.
When asked about the starting line-up, Cargill had this to say:
"I always say that my better players are the 18 in the squad. Unfortunately only 11 of them can start and the rest of them will come on. We have lost Bradley Thomas because he got another yellow card and so we have to find a replacement in young Alex Thomas but I think we'll be okay."
If Jamaica makes it past Guatemala they go on to play in the round of the final eight and will find themselves in Group B. That round is to be played from February 2-12. The other teams that will compete in that four-team group will come from the winner of play-offs between Trinidad and Grenada, Costa Rica and Guyana, and Mexico who have been awarded a bye as hosts.
