By Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
Deon Burton (left) dribbles at Claude Davis during the Reggae Boyz training for Sunday's CONCACAF return-leg World Cup qualifier against Haiti. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
JOSUE MAYARD, senior defender in the Haitian football team has expressed confidence in his team's ability to beat the Reggae Boyz at the National Stadium this Sunday and advance to the semi-final stage of CONCACAF'S World Cup qualifying competition.
"We have a pretty good chance," Mayard, who lives in Canada and is fluent in English, Spanish and his native tongue - French, said shortly after Haiti's arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.
"It is going to be a very good game. A very tough game but we fancy our chances here."
UNDER PRESSURE
According to Mayard, his team is under pressure to repeat the feat that past Haitian footballers achieved 20 years ago when they qualified for the 1974 World Cup in Germany.
"We have got a lot of pressure from our fans. They are all expecting us to make it through. The last time Haiti made it to the World Cup was in '74 when it was played in Germany and so now that in 2006 it is playing in Germany too, people being superstitious say it is our year so we are going through with it," Mayard added.
When Mayard last played in Jamaica, he defended stoutly but could not prevent his side from suffering 0-3 beating at the hands of the Jamaicans. Then goals from Omar Daley, Jermaine Johnson and a defender sank the French vessel.
Asked about Jamaica's strikers, Mayard said he in not familiar with the current set but from what he remembers of those he played against here last year, speed and size are the major differences.
"They are bigger, stronger but slower than the forwards we played the last year," Mayard said.
A HARD TIME
However, he was quick to point out that although they are not as fast, the current set of strikers are bigger hence they "will give you a hard time anyway".
Meanwhile, Haiti's coach Fernando Clavijo, who promised 'war' here this Sunday, was more sedate yesterday.
"We are looking forward for a very good game, a very tough game for both teams," Clavijo said.
"We are the underdogs, we know how difficult it is going to be but we are satisfied so far with the way the team is playing and hopefully we can get the result that we are looking here," he added.
Although cognisant that Jamaica have home advantage, Clavijo said that is the least of his concerns at this time.
"My concern today is to make sure that we maintain focus as the real goal is just trying to beat Jamaica in Jamaica," Clavijo said.
