Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

These gentlemen hold on to the Digicel Caribbean Cup during the press launch of the tournament yesterday at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) office. From left they are Jamaica coach Carl Brown, Burchell Gibson, general secretary of the JFF, Wayne Miller, marketing and communications manager of Digicel, Carlo Marcelin, coach of Haiti and St. Vincent and the Grenadines coach Zoran Vranes. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Three of the four Group D coaches reckon it will be difficult to advance from what they term the 'Group of Death' at yesterday's launch of the Jamaica leg of the Digicel Caribbean Cup.

At the press conference at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Secretariat, Jamaica, Haiti and St. Vincent & the Grenadines all expressed their belief.

Said Carl Brown, Jamaica's coach: "This zone is pretty tough for all of us. It's about preparation, it's about the team that is better prepared on the day. It's not going to be an easy task."

Zoran Vranes, technical director of St Vincent & the Grenadines, said: "Unfortunately we are in a tough group, maybe Trinidad is trying to eliminate us," he joked.

"We have a chance, but not really a big chance. Jamaica is tough to beat, Haiti is very good and I cannot forget St. Lucia too. They have a very good team," noted Vranes.

Carlo Marcelin, coach of Haiti, expressed similar sentiments.

Solid team

"Defeating Jamaica will be difficult. They are the home team, very solid team. The other teams will be tough also," warned Marcelin.

The St. Lucian team was absent because their flight was delayed.

Meanwhile, Wayne Miller, Digicel Jamaica marketing promotions manager, while speaking at the event, said the Digicel Caribbean Cup "is a very important tournament for us in the Caribbean".

Said Miller: "Our main objective is to help football develop, not only here in Jamaica, but in the region and to create real excitement for our fans."

He continued: "We embrace this opportunity to help the sport to a higher level for both the players and the Caribbean."

The top two teams from the group will advance to the next round in which Suriname, Guyana, Antigua, Barbados, Cuba, The Bahamas, Guadeloupe and Martinique have already qualified.

The Yugoslavian-born Vranes, took the first swipe at the host country saying he is here to beat Jamaica once again.

"I came here 11 years ago with Trinidad and won, now I come with a smaller team but with bigger heart so you can expect a good fight," said Vranes in stuttered English.

Brown, in his response, said: "That's the spirit we want to play in. That's the spirit Caribbean football should be played in.

"We are hoping that the tournament is played with the kind of excitement that we just heard," said Brown referring to Vranes' jibe.

Digicel, in its second year as sponsors of the tournament, is aiming to create a unique Caribbean football experience with a carnival atmosphere.

Performances from deejay Aidonia and the Digicel Rising Stars will take place along with the usual Digicel Girls to create vibes during the intervals of each game. There will also be a kick for cash competition at half-time of up to $10,000 in prizes.