Former Jamaica head coach Carl Brown believes the country’s national team has a very good chance of qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar but must focus on its preparation.
The country’s Reggae Boyz are expected to be bolstered for the campaign by an influx of quality English-based players. The list includes the likes of West Ham’s Mikhail Antonio, Swansea’s Jamal Lowe, Watford’s Andre Grey and Reading’s Liam Moore.
In addition, the team will feature an experienced contingent that boasts several players that have gone on to ply their trade in other countries over the world. Brown pointed out that all that could come to naught if the team, and current head coach Theodore Whitmore are not given the time or resources to adequately prepare.
“The CONCACAF president just made a statement that we have a very good chance of winning the Gold Cup, I want to agree with him on that, but everything comes down to preparation,” Brown told television program Football GPS.
“What we do between now and the World Cup qualifiers is very, very important because it is about proper preparation,” he added.
“Yes, we can assemble an amazing group of players but it just what opportunity the coach gets to see them between now and when the Gold Cup is played.”
Currently ranked at in the 45th in the world, the Reggae Boyz are the third-highest ranked team in CONCACAF behind Mexico and the United States. Three teams will secure an automatic spot to next year’s World Cup, with the fourth earning an opportunity to do so via a play-off.
