Jamaica has one World Cup qualification in their history but faces a critical opportunity in the upcoming inter-confederation play-offs. Under previous coach Steve McClaren, Jamaica failed to advance from their qualifying group despite facing weaker opponents like Curacao, Bermuda, and Trinidad and Tobago, losing 2-0 to Curacao and drawing 0-0 in the final match. Now under interim coach Rudolph Speid, Jamaica confronts New Caledonia, ranked 150th globally, in the play-off semi-final on March 26. Jamaica possesses a stronger squad featuring MLS, English Championship, and Premier League players. Advancement requires defeating New Caledonia followed by a potential match against DR Congo, who finished second in African qualifying with 22 points from 10 games.
"Only once has Jamaica qualified for the World Cup, but the Caribbean island will likely never get a better chance to do so than the upcoming inter-confederation play-offs. The Jamaicans, under then-first-team coach Steve McClaren, have already spurned one golden opportunity to book their first World Cup appearance since 1998 by failing to qualify from a group featuring Curacao, Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago."
"Boasting a squad full of MLS and English Championship players, along with a number of Premier League representatives, Jamaica should have too much against a team that would be the biggest underdog story in World Cup history. A victory against New Caledonia on March 26 is only half the battle, however. A date against DR Congo awaits Jamaica five days later."
Read at www.amny.com
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