Jamaica have sacked their national technical director René Simoes following bleak results in the CONCACAF Third Round in a bid to qualify for the prestigious World Cup finals in 2010. Defeats to Mexico and Honduras during the past week condemned Jamaica to the bottom place in Group 2, leaving the Reggae Boyz with only minimal chance of advancing to the final qualification stage.
After three matches, Jamaica have found themselves stranded at the bottom alongside Canada on one point as both countries drew in their encounter in August. The dream of lining up amongst the world’s elite countries in South Africa appears to be diminishing game-by-game and they will need to carry out an improbable feat of securing the maximum nine points remaining. Amazingly Jamaica’s first three matches were all away fixtures, so one slight glimmer of optimism may be that they can use home advantage to salvage pride if nothing else.
Jamaica started their qualification campaign in industrious form, pushing aside Bahamas 13-0 on aggregate and thereby progressing to the third round with considerable ease. Few would have expected them to beat the top ranked nation of Mexico, but losing to Honduras and drawing against Canada resulted in Jamaica facing the likely prospect of missing out. Their elimination could be confirmed as early as the fourth match if they are defeated by Mexico and Honduras beat Canada.
Ironically René Simoes had managed Jamaica to their first World Cup qualification ten years ago in 1998. Such an achievement will have to wait until 2014 at the very least.
Elsewhere Usain Bolt, who picked up three golds medals and world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the Bejing Games, has agreed to train with Spanish reigning champions Real Madrid. Bolt is a Madrid fan and declared "Raul and Van Nistelrooy, I think they're some of the best goalscorers ever. I've watched van Nistelrooy from when he was with Manchester United, so I know he's a great, great guy so I look forward to meeting these guys.”
After three matches, Jamaica have found themselves stranded at the bottom alongside Canada on one point as both countries drew in their encounter in August. The dream of lining up amongst the world’s elite countries in South Africa appears to be diminishing game-by-game and they will need to carry out an improbable feat of securing the maximum nine points remaining. Amazingly Jamaica’s first three matches were all away fixtures, so one slight glimmer of optimism may be that they can use home advantage to salvage pride if nothing else.
Jamaica started their qualification campaign in industrious form, pushing aside Bahamas 13-0 on aggregate and thereby progressing to the third round with considerable ease. Few would have expected them to beat the top ranked nation of Mexico, but losing to Honduras and drawing against Canada resulted in Jamaica facing the likely prospect of missing out. Their elimination could be confirmed as early as the fourth match if they are defeated by Mexico and Honduras beat Canada.
Ironically René Simoes had managed Jamaica to their first World Cup qualification ten years ago in 1998. Such an achievement will have to wait until 2014 at the very least.
Elsewhere Usain Bolt, who picked up three golds medals and world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the Bejing Games, has agreed to train with Spanish reigning champions Real Madrid. Bolt is a Madrid fan and declared "Raul and Van Nistelrooy, I think they're some of the best goalscorers ever. I've watched van Nistelrooy from when he was with Manchester United, so I know he's a great, great guy so I look forward to meeting these guys.”
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