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Since becoming only the third Caribbean team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup™ when they reached France 1998, the Reggae Boyz and their throngs of colourful fans have had little to shout about. Still, known as perhaps the most naturally gifted of the islands sides in CONCACAF, the well-known birthplace of Bob Marley will be hoping to stir it up ahead of qualifying for South Africa.
Once an outpost for native skill merchants and indulgent dribbling wizards, the qualifying campaign for France '98 brought a new approach to the island's football and a massive influx of England-born and based players with Jamaican heritage. With the change in organisation and approach came increased professionalism and competitiveness. The balance, though, has proven a difficult one to maintain and long travel often causes club v country rows and a new set of problems for the national team.
In many ways, Jamaica has been in a tailspin since their high-water mark of 1998. The Germany 2006 qualifying campaign was no exception either, as the yellow-clad men failed to make an impact and finished behind USA and Panama before even reaching the final group stage. Once known as the goal kings of the Caribbean, especially at their fortress-like home ground in Kingston known as 'The Office,' the Reggae Boyz seemed to be suffering form a profound lack of scoring punch in the run-up to Germany.
With pride wounded and goals scarce, things continued to roll downhill for the Jamaicans. In 2006, they suffered the indignity of a loss to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the first group stage of the Caribbean Cup of Nations, missing out on the finals on goal difference.
The result also meant the Reggae Boyz missed out on the biannual CONCACAF Gold Cup (2007) for the first time since 2002. A freefall down the FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking then followed that has seen them dip in behind the likes of Botswana and Latvia.
The Jamaicans still have a great deal of talent to choose from, but the question remains: which side will turn up when qualifying begins for South Africa. The likes of Donovan Ricketts, Ricardo Gardner, and Jason Euell all have the ability to put in a good performance on their day, but damaged confidence and a steady freefall of form and global credibility in recent years will have returned Brazilian head coach Rene Simoes' hopes significantly damaged.
Source: FIFA.com
Since becoming only the third Caribbean team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup™ when they reached France 1998, the Reggae Boyz and their throngs of colourful fans have had little to shout about. Still, known as perhaps the most naturally gifted of the islands sides in CONCACAF, the well-known birthplace of Bob Marley will be hoping to stir it up ahead of qualifying for South Africa.
Once an outpost for native skill merchants and indulgent dribbling wizards, the qualifying campaign for France '98 brought a new approach to the island's football and a massive influx of England-born and based players with Jamaican heritage. With the change in organisation and approach came increased professionalism and competitiveness. The balance, though, has proven a difficult one to maintain and long travel often causes club v country rows and a new set of problems for the national team.
In many ways, Jamaica has been in a tailspin since their high-water mark of 1998. The Germany 2006 qualifying campaign was no exception either, as the yellow-clad men failed to make an impact and finished behind USA and Panama before even reaching the final group stage. Once known as the goal kings of the Caribbean, especially at their fortress-like home ground in Kingston known as 'The Office,' the Reggae Boyz seemed to be suffering form a profound lack of scoring punch in the run-up to Germany.
With pride wounded and goals scarce, things continued to roll downhill for the Jamaicans. In 2006, they suffered the indignity of a loss to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the first group stage of the Caribbean Cup of Nations, missing out on the finals on goal difference.
The result also meant the Reggae Boyz missed out on the biannual CONCACAF Gold Cup (2007) for the first time since 2002. A freefall down the FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking then followed that has seen them dip in behind the likes of Botswana and Latvia.
The Jamaicans still have a great deal of talent to choose from, but the question remains: which side will turn up when qualifying begins for South Africa. The likes of Donovan Ricketts, Ricardo Gardner, and Jason Euell all have the ability to put in a good performance on their day, but damaged confidence and a steady freefall of form and global credibility in recent years will have returned Brazilian head coach Rene Simoes' hopes significantly damaged.
Source: FIFA.com
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