Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Captain Horace Burrell

The World Cup qualifying match between Jamaica and Mexico, which was originally scheduled for the National Stadium on Saturday, has been switched to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico, due to the prevailing effects of Gustav, the tropical storm which has now developed into a hurricane.

Instead, both teams, which will be contesting their second match of the semi-final round of the play-offs, will now see the return encounter being played at the National Stadium on Saturday, October 11.

"The damage done to the playing surface at the National Stadium from the severe flooding caused by the heavy and persistent rainfall has rendered the field almost unplayable. In fact, it would take at least a month to be properly restored," said Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

Necessary changes

"As such, the authorities are far from being confident on having the venue ready for the game," he explained.

According to Burrell, the change of venue was effected after consultation with the Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, FIFA vice-president, Austin 'Jack' Warner, FIFA officer, Jerome Champaignie and the Mexican Football Federation.

He said the changes were necessary as "Gustav had caused significant devastation to the infrastructure of the country", and it "would prove extremely challenging for the country, at this time, to host an international match.

Postponement

"We asked FIFA for a postponement for at least a 30-day period. FIFA understood and offered their condolences to persons who have lost their lives. They also contacted the Mexicans regarding hosting us in Mexico on Saturday, and to playing the return leg in Jamaica. They agreed. A move which we are grateful for," he explained.

Burrell added: "We are very busy now trying to make final arrangements regarding flights, hotel accommodations, trans-portation and all the other logisticalconsiderations for the team to depart the island on Friday. We must say thanks again to the government who have come to our support, and who we are hopeful will be able to give some urgent assistance that will allow us to honour our away fixture."

Meanwhile, according to Rene Simoes, coach of the Reggae Boyz, he does not expect the change in dates to significantly affect the team, albeit he has not held discussions with the players as yet.

"I cannot say how it will affect us as yet. We will have to meet with the players and hear how they feel about the situation. However, personally, for me, it is not a factor," said Simoes. "I would have preferred the match to have (been) played here as we were prepared for it. But we have to face the situation and deal with it accordingly."

Simoes, who also expressed comfort with the fact that the team would fly in on Friday and play the match on Saturday at the high-altitude Azteca, also explained that with the change of venue, the pressure was now more on the Mexicans.

"Before it (the pressure) was on us, but now the pressure is now on them, as to qualify a team cannot lose points at home," he said.

Most of the overseas-based Jamaican players, Shavar Thomas, Tyrone Marshall, Ricardo Gardner, Ian Goodison, Ricardo Fuller, Deon Burton, Rudolph Austin, Luton Shelton and Demar Phillips, arrived in the island between Sunday and yesterday.

Andrew Williams and Wolry Wolfe are slated to arrive tomorrow.