Mexico not unbeatable
René Simoes - file
While freely admitting that the Mexicans still wear the crown as regional kingpins, technical director René Simoes does not believe them to be unbeatable.
In fact, the Brazilian has pointed out that Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will be going for a win when the teams meet at the National Stadium on September 6.
"Whenever you play at home, you have to go for all three points. We are confident and looking to go through, so we need to win our home," Simoes said following the national team's training session at Buttercup Park yesterday.
The Brazilian believes the Tricolores, while talented, are in a transitional phase, having recently secured the services of former England coach Sven-Gsran Eriksson. The Swede recently replaced interim coach Jesœs Ram'rez at the helm of the Mexican Worldqualification bid.
"They (Mexico) are still the best team, but right now they are also in a transitional phase having recently changed coaches," Simoes said.
"The team has a few excellent players, but I believe they are still feeling their way around and that can be to our advantage," he added.
Jamaica along with Mexico, Canada and Honduras have been drawn in the CONCACAF group of death, which will see only two teams progress to the final round of the qualifiers. In their opening game against Honduras at the Azteca Stadium, the Mexicans had to rally from being a goal down in the first half, eventually stunning the visitors with two quick goals from midfielder Pavel Pardo for a second-half win.
Against Canada, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz also went behind, but recovered to earn a share of the points in a 1-1 draw courtesy of a goal from midfielder Andrew Williams. Despite a change in venue for yesterday's practice session, which was moved from Brancourt due to the threat of rain, the coach was pleased with level of intensity shown by the players.
"We had a very good training session, the players are realising that it takes a lot of hard work and intensity at this level," Simoes said. The locally based contingent currently consists of a number of Under-21 players, with the overseas contingent expected to join up with camp at a later date.
René Simoes - file
While freely admitting that the Mexicans still wear the crown as regional kingpins, technical director René Simoes does not believe them to be unbeatable.
In fact, the Brazilian has pointed out that Jamaica's Reggae Boyz will be going for a win when the teams meet at the National Stadium on September 6.
"Whenever you play at home, you have to go for all three points. We are confident and looking to go through, so we need to win our home," Simoes said following the national team's training session at Buttercup Park yesterday.
The Brazilian believes the Tricolores, while talented, are in a transitional phase, having recently secured the services of former England coach Sven-Gsran Eriksson. The Swede recently replaced interim coach Jesœs Ram'rez at the helm of the Mexican Worldqualification bid.
"They (Mexico) are still the best team, but right now they are also in a transitional phase having recently changed coaches," Simoes said.
"The team has a few excellent players, but I believe they are still feeling their way around and that can be to our advantage," he added.
Jamaica along with Mexico, Canada and Honduras have been drawn in the CONCACAF group of death, which will see only two teams progress to the final round of the qualifiers. In their opening game against Honduras at the Azteca Stadium, the Mexicans had to rally from being a goal down in the first half, eventually stunning the visitors with two quick goals from midfielder Pavel Pardo for a second-half win.
Against Canada, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz also went behind, but recovered to earn a share of the points in a 1-1 draw courtesy of a goal from midfielder Andrew Williams. Despite a change in venue for yesterday's practice session, which was moved from Brancourt due to the threat of rain, the coach was pleased with level of intensity shown by the players.
"We had a very good training session, the players are realising that it takes a lot of hard work and intensity at this level," Simoes said. The locally based contingent currently consists of a number of Under-21 players, with the overseas contingent expected to join up with camp at a later date.
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