Getting the job done
Coach McClaren expects victory over Bermuda despite growing injury woes
Published:Friday | September 5, 2025 | 12:12 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Despite missing several of the team’s experienced players, Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren said he is still expecting his players to get the job done when they face off against Bermuda today in Group B action of the final round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
Jamaica will face Bermuda at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium to open their campaign in the final round of qualifiers, with kick-off set for 5 p.m.
In a pre-match interview, McClaren said he expects to leave the field with all three points, despite the absence of several key players.
“We know this is not going to be an easy game,” he said. “We’ve experienced these games where we’re expected to win and we have to be professional, do our jobs, and make sure we match their spirit and make sure we get the win.”
The Boyz will be missing the services of several players including team captain Andre Blake, Leon Bailey, Joel Latibeaudiere, Bobby Reid and Di’Shon Bernard.
The team’s injury woes have worsened as, despite being named in McClaren’s squad, Demarai Gray, Ethan Pinnock, Dexter Lembikisa and Amari’i Bell have been forced to withdraw from the squad.
The absences have seen McClaren turning to last-minute replacements, several of whom ply their trade in the Jamaica Premier League.
The Mount Pleasant pair of Jamoi Topey and Kemar Foster have received a call-up to the squad along with Renaldo Webster of KF Shkëndija.
McClaren said, despite the last-minute changes, he is still hoping for a strong performance from his charges.
“It’s been a tough window. Two or three weeks ago, we looked as if we had some of the players that we’ve not got now. The likes of Andre Blake, Lembikisa, Pinnock, Bell. It’s nearly a back four that we’ve got missing,” he explained.
“In the midfield, Bobby Reid, Demarai Gray, Leon Bailey.So we’re missing some very important players but we’ve brought in very good players. They’re young players, they’re inexperienced players, and this will be fantastic for them.
He continued, “But we’re not talking about experience, we’re talking about coming here and getting the job done and using the experienced players that we’ve got to make sure they do the job and we find a way to win.”
BERMUDAN DANGER
McClaren, however, warned it will not be a routine formality against Bermuda, despite the disparity in FIFA and Concacaf rankings.
The Reggae Boyz coach said he has been closely watching the Bermudian team and is aware of the danger they can pose against Jamaica.
He pointed to their recent games against the likes of Honduras and Cuba, and said they have proven their quality by earning a place in the final round of qualifiers.
“Bermuda have done unbelievable to be at this stage. I’ve watched many games. They have great spirit,” he said. “I think, before we think of anything about tactics, about how we’re going to score, our strength and weaknesses and how were going to defend, we have to respect Bermuda.
“They’ve had good results to get to this stage. I’ve said to all our players, this is not going to be an easy game. We need to fight, we need to be together and we need to match Bermuda’s spirit.
“I don’t expect to win this game fairly comfortably. We played Cuba and they beat Cuba twice. We played Honduras and they were two-nil up at half-time against Honduras and were unlucky, 5-3 at the end.
Jamaica currently hold an unbeaten record against Bermuda, having played seven times and winning four games.
The last time the teams met, Jamaica came out 2-0 victors in an international friendly at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in 2020.