World Cup 2022: The Reggae Boyz Are Out to Stop El Tri

Jamaica vs Mexico

Jamaica have only once qualified for the World Cup but what an indelible mark they made.

In fact, I remember the summer of 1998 in France well as the ‘Reggae Boyz’ and their colourful football and fans became the second favourite team of many.

The first English speaking Caribbean nation to qualify for the finals, they gained thousands of new followers along the way and helped create a carnival atmosphere.

It was so special and that was reflected by the declaration of a national holiday the day after they qualified. If you think that was something, you should have heard the sound they made when Robbie Earle scored their first-ever goal on the grandest stage of all.

Regardless of the result this week, their World Cup 2022 qualifying hopes have long ended, but could they turn back the clock and put a dent in the hopes of a fellow rival?

Talking Points

The nation they host is Mexico, the hosts of the first-ever World Cup I witnessed and watched with amazement as a schoolboy in 1986.

Since then, they have reached all bar one tournament, reaching the last 16 on each occasion.

So against Jamaica, who have only one qualifying victory so far, El Tri will be confident of creating World Cup 2022 highlights.

They need to respond after November defeats against the United States and Canada turned what seemed a smooth ride into a more precarious one.

All this will be played out in front of an empty National Stadium in Kingston, which will be closed to fans due to local Covid-19 protocols.

The hosts will be without the services of exciting winger Leon Bailey through injury but, after netting his first two goals for his country in November, West Ham’s Michail Antonio could be one of the home side’s main goal threats.

Boss Paul Hall has a number of options in defence, including centre-backs Ethan Pinnock and Liam Moore.

Mexico will be without the suspended Hirving Lozano, while there are fitness doubts over Raul Jimenez, Jesus Corona and Osvaldo Rodriguez.

Of the three, Jimenez is the most unlikely to feature amid reports the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker may not play in the whole international break, which involves three matches for both.

How they could do with his goals against Jamaica who, despite their lowly position, are unbeaten in their last four qualifiers.

History

Jamaica have only beaten Mexico on five occasions but one of those victories came in their last competitive meeting.

That was in 2017 when a late Kemar Lawrence goal settled the Gold Cup semi-final in their favour.

Since then, they have only met once. That was in September earlier in the qualifying campaign when Mexico ran out 2-1 winners courtesy of goals from Alexis Vega and Henry Martin (again a late winner) with Shamar Nicholson replying for undermanned Jamaica.

The last time they met on Jamaican soil in a World Cup qualifier was in 2013 when a solitary Aldo de Nigris goal earned Mexico a narrow win.

Before that, it was role reversal as a goal from Ricardo Fuller gave Jamaica the points against the Mexicans then managed by Sven Goran Eriksson.

Overall, Mexico have 20 successes in this fixture, including in eight of their first nine clashes (the first in 1962), and there have been three draws.

Betting Tip

	Jamaica vs Mexico	Half Time Full Time Draw Away @ 4.20
	January 28, 08:00 (GMT+8)

As the road to Qatar looms ever closer, Mexico could really do with all three points here.

The SBOTOP World Cup 2022 qualifying betting odds certainly back them to do so.

El Tri can be backed 1X2 @ 1.69 and Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.29 and even First Half 1X2 @ 2.39 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.95.

Jamaica are priced well adrift compared to that with the variety of odds including First Half 1X2 @ 5.20, 1X2 @ 4.80, First Half Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 3.00 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.25.

Given the hosts’ recent defensive improvement, perhaps we should not expect too many goals with over 2.25 goals @ 2.11, total goal 0-1 @ 2.36, 2-3 @ 1.84 and 4-6 @ 4.80 among the options.

Double Chance Jamaica or Draw @ 2.02, 1X2 Draw @ 3.35 and another 2-1 Mexico success – with Correct Score – @ 7.40 have all been considered by me.

I do think Mexico will narrowly edge this but only after an improved showing from the hosts in the second half.

 

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