Grange confident Reggae Boyz will defeat Curaçao and qualify for World Cup

Sport Minister Olivia Grange is expressing confidence that the Reggae Boyz will be victorious over Curaçao at the National Stadium tomorrow and qualify for the World Cup.

Nearly three decades after that unforgettable journey, Jamaica again stands on the cusp of history.

A win against Curaçao would secure the nation’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998.

“I’m absolutely confident that our Reggae Boyz can do it — they’ve got the talent, they’re motivated, they have the heart of champions, and they want to make Jamaica proud,” said Grange in a statement on Monday.

“Come on Jamaica, let’s get behind our Boyz.”

The crucial Concacaf final-round Group B showdown kicks off at 8:00 p.m., where the Jamaicans, second on 10 points, must defeat group leaders Curaçao (11 points) to secure what would be just their second senior men’s World Cup qualification, having last done so in 1997 for the 1998 edition in France.

When the teams last met on October 10, the Reggae Boyz went down 2-0 to Curaçao.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts says the Reggae Boyz are fully prepared to knock off Curaçao and take victory.

Ricketts pointed out that the squad is mentally ready and focused because everyone is well aware of the task at hand.

Ricketts highlighted that the players were inspired by the passionate crowd they saw in Trinidad last Friday, where the Reggae Boyz played out a 1-1 draw with the host team, and he wants to feel that same energy at home on Tuesday.

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