Registered: 10/28/99
Posts: 189
Loc: Gainesville, Fl, USA
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DRAW HELD FOR FINAL ROUND OF FC QUALIFYING FOR 2002 FIFA WORLD CUP 2000-11-19
The draw for the Final Round of Football Confederation qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup was held 19 November at the Westin Camino Real in Guatemala City. The six teams which have qualified for the final round – Costa Rica/Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and USA – will play each other twice, home and away, in a round-robin format.
The first set of matches in the Final Round will be played on 27-28 February 2001, with the final set to be played 10-11 November 2001. All matches in both the ninth round (6-7 October 2001) and the tenth and final round must be played simultaneously.
In conducting the draw, the names of the six qualifiers – the winner and runner-up from Groups C, D and E from the Semifinal Round – were placed in one pot, with numbers 1-6 placed in the second. Each country was drawn to a number corresponding to the schedule below.
In the Final Round, six of the dates are set for weekends, with four guaranteed for midweek, though an additional two could also be played on a weekday. Twice, two matches are scheduled to be played within a five-day period. The dates have all been established to conform with the harmonized international calendar, and are the same as World Cup qualifying dates for UEFA (Europe) and CONMEBOL (South America).
MATCH 1 27-28 February 2001 (Tue/Wed) JAM v TRI USA v MEX GUA/CRC v HON MATCH 2 24-28 March 2001 (Sat-Wed) HON v USA MEX v JAM GUA/CRC v TRI MATCH 3 24-25 April 2001 (Tue/Wed) JAM v HON TRI v MEX USA v GUA/CRC MATCH 4 16-17 June 2001 (Sat/Sun) JAM v USA TRI v HON MEX v GUA/CRC MATCH 5 19-20 June 2001 (Tue/Wed) HON v MEX USA v TRI GUA/CRC v JAM MATCH 6 30 June – 4 July 2001 (Sat-Wed) HON v GUA/CRC TRI v JAM MEX v USA MATCH 7 1-2 September 2001 (Sat/Sun) JAM v MEX TRI v GUA/CRC USA v HON MATCH 8 4-5 September 2001 (Tue/Wed) HON v JAM MEX v TRI GUA/CRC v USA MATCH 9 6-7 October 2001 (Sat/Sun) HON v TRI USA v JAM GUA/CRC v MEX MATCH 10 10-11 November 2001 (Sat/Sun) JAM v GUA/CRC TRI v USA MEX v HON
My Youth, thanks for the update. I like the fact that our first and final games are both at home.This will be a major factor which I think will benefit the Boyz immensely.
Registered: 02/16/01
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Loc: Toronto Canada
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Thanks for the info. Seems like Jamaica got a good draw. I could not see any distinct team advantage (except Honduras playing 4 home games in the last six, but they have to go to Mexico in their final game).
Jamaica playing 3 home games (TT, Honduras and USA) from the first 4 may be good for us because we will certainly do well in these games and will probably lead the group and gain psychological advantage after match 4 is completed in June. I must hasten to point out that we cannot assume that we will win all home games as most of these teams know how strong we are at home and will basically be coming there for a draw. This means that Clovis will need to pull out all the 'stuff'. Maybe playing 3 strikers (2 wingers) like what he did with the under 20 in the Cayman game.
Also if we allow any of these teams to score first when they come to the 'office' then we will be in serious problems.
The big question is how prepared will the team be to go to Mexico in March (4 months time). What will be the strategy employed by the TD.
Also, is Lowe suspended from the first game against TT?
Hi again 'ites, Good point DoubleB, as up to now we have not heard how long Lowe's ban will be. I guess Jack will be pushing for it to be 2 matches. Kind of funny TT got us first though...wonder if they think they goin to get some moral boost from us( I think not!!!). Would be rather sad if Lowe is not there as he had them in the friendly match. At this point we will hav to watch Jack very carefully as he will not stop until TT reach World Cup...by any means necessary if u ask me. Praying for Fuller'S swift return. Can anyone tell me about any upcoming friendlies for JA(ANDY ur usually good at this kind of thing)..bless
I like our chances with being drawn #1. Playing three of first four at home should be good for us. We need to win these early home games. Get the points early and reduce the pressure of having to win later in the round. Our big problem is having strikers stepping up and producing. We definately can't expect Lowe to carry us through, he is going to be a marked man! Anyway I believe the TD has some stuff up his sleeve that he has not shown yet. Go Boyz! Japan/Korea 2002 here we come! Peace.
I cant see no easy games except the fourth when we play US.Both TT and Honduras will come to defend...In mexico we will have to defend...Though honduras will have a good run later on,they have already shown they can be beaten at altitude....This competition looks exciting and evenly balanced apart from the fact that certain teams can move the games at will but such is the nature of international football...Instead of worrying I think every man on the squad should practice finding the goal,and stop wasting the chances created..Then there should be no problems...
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They make the world so hard
Oh yeah,the hard period will be June and september....games 5,6,7 and 8...two games twice in quick succession....especially september..within five days mexico at home and then Honduras away...But as Honduras has a heavier load during that time with 5 games starting at TT...hopefully they will slip up.And during that same time TT's load seems a little lighter...Mexico should be able to handle them demanding times but I still think they will find next year harder as every game against them(all ten)will be for them to attack...Pure defensive tactics against them...And we still have to watch USA and the other....
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They make the world so hard
1997 2001 1. Jamaica vs USA(home) - 0:0 Jamaica vs Trinidad (home) 2. Mexico vs Jamaica (away) - 6:0 Mexico vs Jamaica(away) 3. Canada vs Jamaica (away - 0:0 Jamaica vs Honduras (home) 4. Costa Rico vs Jamaica (away) - 3:1 Jamaica vs USA(home) 5. Jamaica vs El Salvador (home) - 1:0 Costa/Guat vs Jamaica(away) 6. Jamaica vs Canada (home) - 1:0 Trinidad vs Jamaica (away) 7. Jamaica vs Costa Rico (home) - 1-0 Jamaica vs Mexico (home) 8. USA vs Jamaica (away) - 1:1 Honduras vs Jamaica(away) 9. El Salvador Jamaica (away) - 2:2 USA vs Jamaica (away) 10.Jamaica vs Mexico (home) - 0:0 Jamaica vs Costa/Guat (home)
Yes, it is good that our 3 of the first 4 games are at home. I am a little concerned about the second game in mexico. If we do not play cautious we could get demoralised by a big mexican win and lose confidence. I say we play that game for a draw.
Registered: 02/16/01
Posts: 3793
Loc: Toronto Canada
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Yes JT... Jamaica 2 back to back matches (The Weekend and the following mid week) - matches 4 & 5 and matches 7 & 8.
The pair that worries me the most is : Matches 7 and 8.
These two matches are going to be very difficult for the boyz. Playing Mexico at home on the Sat or Sun and then flying out almost immediately to play Honduras on the following Tue or Wed. If we can get 3 or 4 (not less than 2)points from these two matches then we are in great shape.
Best wishes to the "Boyz" in the final round I am hoping they will get some good tune up matches (Friendly) in the next few months in order to stay sharpe .. I see the boyz going to the World cup with (18 points)..
Registered: 12/19/99
Posts: 331
Loc: Houston Tx USA
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I am not worried about the games in june and september that are 3 days apart. On june 16,17 we will play USA in the office. As diverse is the weather is for them I know the midday sun will be a factor, therefore I dont see them running us to death. If we keep possession we will get the result we need plus there ass whooping is long overdue. That high and confidence should take us to Guat/Costa who should be coming from the aztecs with a bus ass and some serious nose bleeding. On sept 4,5 we play Mexico in the office. Again this is our office, I think by now a lot of teams will be happy with a draw there. Mexico should be no different. I dont see them taking the game to us but this game will depend on how well we match up on the first leg. Three days later we are in Honduras, this round should be the emerging round as it was in 1997. This is the toughest game for us, the only away game in the second round where its unfamilar teritory and hostile as hell. Honduras coming from the USA match shouldnt have time to prepare for us and the USA is the hardest running team in the region. I would welcome a draw here. Overall I think match fitness especially in june (club off season) and the ability of JFF to get the teams to the second site with the least traffic will be two very important factor.
Many posters here are mentioning the fact that Jamaica has a good schedule because they have three out of the first four games at home.
In the 1998 WC qualifiers, Costa Rica had this exact schedule:
H: drew Mexico H: beat USA A: lost to El Salvador H: beat Jamaica (7 pts from four games, 2nd place).
Costa Rica had the bulk of their games on the road the rest of the way and faltered badly, losing two of three road games while drawing at Mexico (Mex. had already qualified and played a below strength side, was leading CR 3-1 at one time in that match).
The point being, Jamaica must play well away in order to have any chance of qualification. Doing well at home may not be enough, esp. in such a group with the calibre teams it has.
Good points MikeU but as I see it, 4 wins should be enough to qualify. If we get 3 wins out of our first 4 games we would be in a real good position considering that the final game is at the office against Costa/Guat. The game before that against the US could be 'ruff' for the US if they play in DC or Florida. Your points are well made and well taken though.
Good point " DDread " but I just read on the US website that they are trying to find locations that will have a pro-us support for game playing on their home soil, so don't look for the Jamaica/USA game to be in DC. or Florida because of the Jamaican population living in those regions. An example they are talking about "Alabama"
Gentlemen....speculations, speculations and more specualtions.
It seems to me like as if you are all worried and nervous at this time as far as the Reggaeboyz are concerned in qualifying for the next round. If the Boyz are doing what they are supposed to be doing right, then why all the worry ? If we are playing ball like we should, then we should not be worried about when, where or what time we play our opponents. I will agree that whenever you are playing in a man's back yard you are at a dis-advantage owing to crowd support;but that is all psychological.
I believe we all have a right to be nervous though, because our Boyz are not putting ball into the back of the net like they should on a consistent basis. We have a number of weaknesses(the Boyz that is).
(1) We do not have enough goal hungry strikers. As a matter of fact the only man who is playing like he is on a mission is Onandi Lowe, believe it or not. I do not want to see us playing football like a one handed fighter (Lennox Lewis or Razor Ruddock) meaning we cannot be dependent on one man to do the job. Like I have read where one 'ite said Onandi will be a marked man and he is SO RIGHT. The man is goal hungry, that one man even go as far as to refer to him as ball hog. Well, if ball hog is what it takes to take us through the second round then so be it ! Goals win matches, full stop. Anthing less cannot cut it my brethrens.
(2) Our style of play does not fit the business world of football and I will tell you why. Traditionally we play soccer for entertainment and not business purposes. We try to please the crowd with "bruk and shift" "salad and pile", holding the ball much too long accomplishing nothing. What's the use of shifting ten men from the half line down to the opponents goal mouth and when you get there you kick the ball a bush, did you accomplish anything ? I don't think so. The fans has contributed alot to this rubbish called excellent football playing. While the bruk and shift may be useful, it is over used so eventually it defeats the purpose. Holding the ball for along period can be useful because in heavy traffic it helps the midfield in particularly to set up the forwards or give them time to position themselves. However, pretty play does not WIN matches and this is what we need to get away from !!! Andy Williams is one of the main culprit for holding the ball too long. Our Boyz have a tendency only to shoot from the edge of the six yards box, if they cannot get the ball up to that point then they can't shoot. This tells me that they are very poor goal shooters, they lack confidence and probably they are weak. The only man I see right now that can shoot effectively from outside the eighteen yards box is Onandi Lowe, well Bibi has proven the other day that he can also do it for Bolton Wanderers, the rest are joking. When I was a boy playing high school football mi a score from half line, has things changed ?
(3) We HAVE to start winning matches away from home. If you can dance a yard, why can't you dance abroad ? While it is of great significance that we win all home games, we should be prepared to win anywhere. What if we loose a game or two at home, does that means we are out of the runnings for qualifications ? What if we lost one man (Onandi Lowe) does that means we are sitting ducks, ready for the kill ?
(4) The coach has to work on the mediocrity mentality of the players. From match to match, I cannot tell which set of Boyz are going to show up. I cannot tell if is the enthusiastic ready to play Boyz or if it's the one who is going to say "cho, it's just business as usual or cho, Jamaica no problem man". Another thing, to just merely qualify for the world cup is not just where it stops, you want to take that opportunity to sell/ market yourselves to the world by performing to the best of your ability, meaning, kick some ass around. Our Boyz are much too relaxed and this is where their problem lies. May be they need alittle added incentives, I don't know, what you all think ?
I will tell you all alittle secret. My eight year old son plays for an under nine football team and being the PROUD dad I am, no game miss me, I am always there with my camcorder to record his every move. However, at the start of each season he starts off like as if he doesn't belong there, very non-chalant and lacadasic. As soon as I tell him that it is $20.00 for each goal him score, goals start flying from everywhere. I remember one season he scored so much he almost run me broke, I had was to go back and borrow some money form him. Now, some may say that I am bribing my child;but let me tell you all something, alittle incentive goes a far way, as a matter of fact the other parents has started to ducplicate my approach.
Now back to the point at hand. Bottom line, we need to start finding the back of the net much, much more than we do at the moment and on a consistent basis.Qualifying is going to be much, much more difficult this time than it was for the 1998 world cup I can guarantee you all that much. We need two more ball hog like Nandi and we will be smooth sailing.
