WITH two games remaining, the Reggae Boyz are closer than ever to qualifying for next summer’s Fifa World Cup, after regaining top spot in their group in the final round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
The national senior men’s team registered a commanding 4-0 win over Bermuda on Tuesday at the National Stadium, thanks to goals from Bobby Reid, Shamar Nicholson, Dujuan “Whisper” Richards, and an own goal from Bermuda Captain Dante Leverock.
The scoreline was a repeat of their opening encounter in September and also means three Boyz have scored 10 goals in the campaign.
The victory was made sweeter for the Jamaicans as Curacao were held to a 1-1 draw by Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), which means the Boyz returned to the summit of Group B with nine points — overtaking Curacao on eight points.
With only the group winner guaranteed a spot to the 2026 World Cup, Jamaica, who haven’t qualified since the 1998 edition, are now in full control ahead of November’s fixtures against T&T and Curacao.
T&T, though, still remain in contention for automatic berth to next summer’s tournament as they have five points, three behind Curacao and four behind Jamaica.
Bermuda are officially out of the running having lost all four games so far.
The Boyz travel on November 13 to play Trinidad and Tobago before potentially booking their spot on November 18 against Curacao at the National Stadium.
Steve McClaren’s men put their 2-0 defeat to Curacao on Friday firmly behind them as they dominated the game with over 70 per cent possession and nearly 30 shots.
Midfielder Kasey Palmer, who missed the last game, got the ball rolling for Jamaica when his free kick was put home by Leverock in the 24th minute.
Just two minutes later, winger Renaldo Cephas got by his defenders and played in a low cross for Reid, who made no mistake from close range.
Cephas was at it again on the left wing nine minutes later, this time finding Nicholson who tapped in at the front post.
Richards, who was left out of the initial 26-man squad, showed why he deserves a spot going forward as his 40-minute appearance off the bench electrified the home team.
It was highlighted by a brilliant solo run, finished off by him firing home from 15 yards out to make it 4-0.