Gordon Williams, Contributor

JAMAICA WILL look to build on a bright start to Bora Milutinovic's stint as technical director, and continue the wily Serb's vital mission of blending a squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, when the Reggae Boyz tackle Switzerland at 6:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. Ja time) today in the United States.

Coming off a victorious Lunar New Year Cup tournament in Hong Kong last month, the Boyz will be anxious to test themselves at Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium against a country which has made eight appearances in the World Cup finals, dating back to 1934, and is currently ranked 17th in the world by football's governing body, FIFA. Jamaica are rated 61.

"We're taking the opportunity to look at players in an international environment," said Milutinovic's assistant, Wendell Downswell.

Downswell explained that the Boyz will stick with a 4-4-2 formation which was successful in Hong Kong. Jamaica's likely starting team is Allien Whittaker in goal; fullbacks Oneil Smith and Mario Swaby; central defenders Jermaine Taylor and Christopher Harvey or Adrian Reid; midfielders Donald Stewart, Nicholy Finlayson, Demar Phillips and Lovel Palmer; and strikers Kavin Bryan and Fabian Taylor.

Switzerland's team, known as 'Nati', arrived in Florida on Monday for a nine-day training camp and two friendly internationals. Several players were part of their squad tothe 2006 World Cup in Germany and many play in top European competitions, including the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga. Among them are defenders Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou of Arsenal; Eintracht Frankfurt's Christoph Spycher and VfB Stuttgart's Ludovic Magnin. Midfielder Alexander Frei, who has 11 goals in 25 games for Borussia Dortmund so far this season, is also listed in the Swiss squad.

Game performance

Despite advancing to the second round of the World Cup and not conceding a goal from regular play in four games there, the Swiss have slumped in recent months, losing to Austria, Brazil and Germany.

Yet Jamaica, with players looking to cement a spot in Milutinovic's "30 to 35"-man player pool for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, are not taking the Swiss lightly.

"We expect a very good game," said veteran Fabian Davis.

The youthful make-up of Jamaica's squad, comprised of local-based players, could work against the Boyz' chances. But confidence is high following the Lunar Cup and the players appear to have embraced Milutinovic's philosophy, which stresses simplicity, tactical discipline and knowledge of opponents based on extensive scouting and film review.

"We're working as a unit," said Downswell. "What he (Milutinovic) has done new is lots more video sessions. It's extensive."

Milutinovic has also demanded togetherness and focus from his squad, which is already benefitting the less experienced players.

"I'm getting along well," Andre Redwood, a forward representing Jamaica for the first time, said from the team hotel. "Everybody is a family here."

Conditions this evening may not be so friendly towards the Reggae Boyz' ball possession game. Recent rains forced the cancellation of Jamaica's outdoor training session in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, the day the 20-man squad arrived in the U.S. The inclement weather has also disrupted the Swiss team's preparation.

Jamaica trained yesterday morning but cancelled the afternoon session, preferring insteadto rest and review tactical options. Among them will be how to defend against Switzerland's set plays.

"They are a very disciplined team," Downswell said after the team reviewed tapes of Switzerland's games. "They're good at set pieces, especially from corners and free kicks from the flanks because they are tall and they take advantage of that."

SQUADS

Jamaica's squad: Richard McCallum, Allien Whittaker, Xavian Virgo, Oneil Smith, Jermaine Taylor, Christopher Harvey, Mario Harrison, Adrian Reid, Nicholy Finlayson, Demar Phillips, Mario Swaby, Fabian Davis, Donald Stewart, Lovel Palmer, Keneil Moodie, Donavan Davis, Fabian Taylor, Horace Howell, Andre Redwood and Kavin Bryan.

Switzerland's squad: Diego Benaglio, Fabio Coltorti, Pascal Zuberbuhler, Valon Behrami, Philipp Degen, Johan Djourou, Stephane Grichting, Ludovic Magnin, Patrick Muller, Philippe Senderos, Christoph Spycher, Tranquillo Barnetta, Ricardo Cabanas, Blerim Dzemaili, Alexander Frei, Gokhan Inler, Xavier Margairaz, Marco Streller, Johan Vonlanthen, Hakan Yakin, David Degen, Benjamin Huggel, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Alberto Regazzoni, Boris Smiljanic and Raphael Wicky.