Coach Speid demands commitment

Reggae Boyz interim head coach Rudolph Speid says commitment to the national programme remains an important consideration in his squad selection ahead of Jamaica’s Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal tie against Mexico.

The Reggae Boyz will play Mexico in a two-legged tie for a spot in the semifinals of the Nations League.

The first leg will be played at the National Stadium on November 14 before the return leg at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on November 17.

In a press conference last Friday Speid announced his 23-man selection to face Mexico which retained 16 players from Jamaica’s previous international window.

Speid said this decision was deliberate as he selected players who he believes are committed to giving their all to the national team.

“The way the progress is, these players that we have selected; they want to play for their country and they will give 100 per cent,” Speid explained.

“You call them, they say yes, they come, they give 100 per cent and they go back home. They’re not asking or putting in conditions and asking where their friends are ... These are committed players. That’s all I can ask for.”

TEAM COHESION

Speid also explained that they chose to keep the same core of players for the Mexico assignment because they had shown strong team cohesion during the previous window.

He believes the continuity will allow the technical staff to build on their previous work, rather than repeatedly starting the team-building process from scratch.

“When we went down to Central America, the team performed well and there were elements of cohesiveness,” the Reggae Boyz boss said.

“I just wanted to keep the majority of that team together because I just thought that they played well together and their commitment was top grade. That’s how a national team builds; you keep the team together and build on the good points.”

The players have been reporting to camp over the past two days ahead of the first leg.

Speid said this will give the technical staff additional preparation time to ensure they are ready for the Mexico assignments

He warned that facing Mexico will require Jamaica to be at their very best as the Mexicans are currently ranked 10th in the world.

“We understand the type of monster we’re going up against, but that is why the game is being played,” Speid said.

“We have played them before and I think in history we have beaten them four times, so they are not unbeatable. You just have to be on your best game and that is what we think we’re going to bring,” he continued.

“Of course, you need a little luck too. But that’s where we are. The game hasn’t been played and we’re preparing as best as we can. We have some good things about us too, which we’ll be using against the Mexican team.”

The two legs will not only determine the semi-finalists for the Nations League, but will also act as qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.

The winners will automatically qualify for the Gold Cup, while the losers will advance to the Gold Cup preliminary round.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.co