Safe Boyz seek group honours in Gold Cup

Photo: Reggae Boyz captain Andre Blake will be hoping for another clean sheet when Jamaica take on El Salvador in their final Group C game in the CONCACAF Gold Cup starting at 4:00pm today.

Jamaica will face El Salvador today in their final Group C game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, already qualified for the quarter final round but with the prospects of winning the group. The game which starts at 4:00pm local time will be played at the Alamodome Indoor Sports Arena, in San Antonio, Texas.

Panama’s 3-0 victory over Martinique means that the Reggae Boyz will finish in at least one of the two third place positions but will be determined to secure one of the top two places in the group.

CONCACAF giants Mexico leads the group on goal difference and will take on bottom place Curacao who are yet to gain a point at the tournament. The Caribbean champions have found the going tough at the Gold Cup losing both matches 2-0 and will be hard pressed to do any better against El Tri. Mexico defeated El Salvador 3-1 before being held 0-0 by Jamaica.

For Jamaica the game against El Salvador gives the team a chance to play without shackles and a much better ‘football’ performance will be expected. A listless display against Curacao, followed by a dour, negative draw against Mexico, has left some fans calling for a better display from the team.

Jamaica has had the better of results against El Salvador and so will fancy their chances of getting a win today. A draw will also be enough to claim second place in the group as El Salvador have only three points from their win over Curacao.

Darren Mattocks ran his socks off against Mexico with little to show for it but will hope for a more positive effort from his teammates today. Oneil Fisher has looked good going down the right flank and may prove to be vital outlet from which goals may come for the Theodore Whitmore coached team.

A settled Jamaican backline has kept two clean sheets so far in the tournament and goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake will hope that the defenders in front of him maintain their focus for another ninety minutes. Blake has produced a number of fine saves, especially against Mexico and will be hoping for an easier afternoon against El Salvador.

The Mexico v Curacao game will be played at 6:30pm.