'Traditionally, we have had good results against Guatemala but we are looking for a much improved Guatemala'. - Downswell
JAMAICA'S REGGAE Boyz will be seeking what is considered a crucial preliminary round win at the CONCACAF Gold Cup when their campaign kicks off in the United States tonight.
The Boyz, who recently crowned themselves Caribbean Champions face Guatemala at 11:00 p.m. (Jamaica time), two hours after CONCACAF kingpins Mexico take on guest team South Africa in a Los Angeles Home Depot Centre Stadium doubleheader.
Mexico, who placed fourth at the Confederations Cup last month have retained eight players to defend their 2003 Gold Cup title in the hopes for a fifth triumph.
While the Mexicans chase a handful of crowns, Jamaica will try to acquire a fifth preliminary round victory.
BEST CHANCE
With the first two teams and the two best third-placed teams making it to the quarter-finals, the Jamaicans think that their best chance for qualification lies in beating Guatemala, who they believe is the weakest team in their group .
The Jamaicans will be depending on the new core of "seniors" they have in Tyrone Marshall and Andy Williams, who bolster the mostly local-based talent.
The team doesn't really harbour serious thoughts of winning the Gold Cup and national coach Wendell Downswell has indicated that he wants his team to perform well for the purpose of getting good practice matches in the future and contracts for the young players.
"Our intention is to create a very positive impression at the Gold Cup. This is important to a number of players in terms of their individual performances as it relates to contracts and things like that," said Downswell, who will be looking forward to the return of Ricardo Fuller, who will likely partner Damani Ralph with the likelihood of young Luton Shelton getting into the mix at some point.
With regards to what he expects from Guatemala, Downswell seemed cautious.
"Traditionally, we have had good results against Guatemala but we are looking for a much improved Guatemala," he said.
The Reggae Boyz have reached the tournament's semi-finals on two occasions - 1993 and 1998.
Their best finish came in 1993 when they shared the bronze medal with Costa Rica after both played to a 1-1 draw in the third-place game.
Their opponents in Guatemala hosted and placed third at this year's UNCAF Nations Cup. This is their seventh appearance at the tournament but they have not been as successful as the Jamaicans as their best placing came in 1996 when they finished fourth.
Meanwhile, Panama, who helped derail Jamaica's Road to Germany World Cup campaign, are the early Group One leaders after a 1-0 win over guest team Colombia at the Orange Bowl on Wednesday night.
In the group's other match, Trinidad and Tobago drew 1-1 with Honduras at the same venue.
