Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor
Ricardo Fuller pumps his fist after scoring Jamaica's second goal against Guatemala in Carson, California, last night. - REUTERS
LOS ANGELES, California: WITH ONE victory already in the bag, the Reggae Boyz are intent on getting another to seal their quarter-final spot when they challenge South Africa in a CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C top-of-the-table clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 4:00 p.m. (Ja time) today.
Both teams are tied on three points after scoring victories in their opening group matches on Friday night, Jamaica winning 4-3 over Guatemala and South Africa upstaging the Mexicans 2-1. A win later will secure an automatic berth in the next round for either team.
DOWNSWELL HAPPY
There are two other four-team zones in this 12-nation championship and the top two from each division will move forward, as well as the two top placed teams that finish third, to complement the eight qualifiers for the knockout quarters.
"Our destiny lies in our hands and we'll continue to make that happen," insists Jamaica's head coach Wendell Downswell. "We're happy that we've started on a positive note. Our intention was to start on a positive note. The fact that we've started on a positive note, now we can consolidate our position."
The teams have drawn both recent encounters, once in South Africa and the other in Jamaica and Downswell rates his chances of beating them highly.
GOOD CHANCE AGAINST SA
"We have a good chance against them despite the fact that they upset Mexico. Probably some complacency crept in for Mexico. They dominated the game and could have scored two or three goals to get back in the game. What we'll do is look at the players we have now and then make our tactical plans accordingly," he said.
"We recognise that at least a point or three points from this game will put us in good stead in terms of qualifying, no matter what transpires in the Mexico game."
Four different players scored for Jamaica in their opening match and the coach wants that to continue.
What he is worried about is the fact that they conceded three goals and had a player expelled, Claude Davis.
"This is something we have to work on. Conceding three goals is a major concern as it relates to the team itself. Again we finished the game with 10 players which is not good for us."
SHELTON UNCERTAIN
The team worked out once yesterday and Jermaine Taylor, who has played the position regularly in recent times, will fill in for Davis.
There was one other concern, striker Luton Shelton who was substituted because of hamstring worries. It is anticipated that Damani Ralph, his replacement in Friday's match, will take his place if necessary.
As reflected by their first game result, the South Africans, despite fielding a relatively inexperienced team, will be no pushovers. Midfielder Phillip Evans and Elrio Van Heerden scored for them in their last game and will have to be given some attention, as well as lanky striker Lucas Thwala.
They played a good counter-attacking game against Mexico and held up the ball well but against Jamaica, one expects them to play with more freedom. It has the advantage of making more chances as well as conceding more.
