Clavijo
Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
LAST WEEK, Haiti's coach Fernando Clavijo declared it would be 'war' at the National Stadium, following his team's 1-1 draw with the Reggae Boyz at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida.
Although he was a bit more sedate when The Sunday Gleaner spoke to him yesterday, Clavijo said Haiti and Jamaica are quality teams and he expects both to fight until the final whistle is blown.
"When I say war it is in a good sense of war. They are very good teams and they are going to battle to make sure that either of them is victorious," Clavijo said.
Haiti missed a penalty awarded in the first six seconds of the game last Saturday during which they outplayed Jamaica on their adopted home ground in Miami. After such an achievement, Clavijo thinks his team, that drew 1-1 with the U.S. in a practice game in March, have the pedigree to bring a premature end to the Reggae Boyz World Cup dreams.
"We are confident in our abilities. We know it is not going to be easy. We know that Jamaica is a very good team but at the same time we are confident in our strength and hopefully we can put it to work against Jamaica.
"You are going to see a very committed team with confidence knowing that we are playing a very good team in Jamaica but at the same time we are ready for the challenge," added Clavijo.
Last year, internal power struggles threatened to cripple Haiti's strides in world football. This forced the French-speaking side to vacate their homeland for the United States of America where they have been since January, preparing for the right to compete in the World Cup finals in Germany, 2006. For this reason, Clavijo said his players have not lost sight on their goal and would be disappointed if they fail to get past the second round.
"It is going to be a very tough match but we are prepared for it. We are a team that is on a mission. A team that has worked extremely hard for everything that we have so far. Hopefully we can accomplish this next goal for us which is beating Jamaica. If not I would be disappointed."
He added: "Haiti is going through a lot of difficulties in preparing for this compared to Jamaica which has all the possibilities to train properly and play good games internationally. Haiti does not have the luxury," professed Clavijo.
Two results would not favour Haiti today - a goalless draw or a loss, and Clavijo is aware of his team's plight. When asked what approach he will take to the game, the former United States player responded:
"We can't panic. We have to be ready and we are ready. We haven't sat back with anyone yet and we won't sit back today either. We like to play. We don't allow teams to play. That's our game."
However, he was quick to point out that Jamaica too has some very good players who should be nullified if Haiti are to leave the National Stadium grinning from ear to ear. He listed strikers Ricardo Fuller and Marlon King, midfielders Ricardo Gardner, Andy Williams and Fabian Davis, along with goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, as the ones to be nullified, expressing a hope that they will not be at their best.
