Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren says winning is the only objective against the British Virgin Islands (BVI), but in the same breath, he urged his players to guard against complacency as they resume their World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday.
Though playing away at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Ground in Road Town, McClaren’s side is heavily favoured to notch a third consecutive victory and consolidate their hold on one of the top two spots in Group E needed to progress to the next round.
Jamaica currently sits second on six points, level with group leaders Guatemala but behind on goal difference, while BVI are rooted to the bottom of the table with no points after three defeats.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Jamaica time.
"This is World Cup qualifying football, which is all about adversity, travel, getting here late, and only one day to prepare. We have had that in the last two weeks, but it's good for the players, and they are professionals, so they will just get on with the job and win," McClaren said in a pre-game press conference.
Saturday’s match marks just the second-ever meeting between Jamaica and BVI, the first coming more than three decades ago in 1994.
McClaren’s squad features much of the core that impressed during the recent Unity Cup in London. But with eight players returning, including Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, and Damion Lowe, the coach acknowledged that once again, gelling the group quickly was a key priority.
"We had the same situation in London with 17 players who didn’t know each other, and we had to quickly bring them together for the Trinidad game, and the spirit was good. So we now have to continue that spirit with the eight players that have come in. So we start again for this game and the game against Guatemala, two huge games for us, and the goal is to win," McClaren declared.
While his team looks good on paper, coupled with BVI’s lowly standing, McClaren is not taking the challenge lightly, as he pointed out that they did their analysis of BVI's recent 3-0 loss to Dominica, among other matches.
"We have watched games, so we had a look at them and the new coach they got, and they are trying to play football, so I commend them for that. Though they got beat by Dominica, it was a good game, and BVI have players that can play and score, so we have to be wary, focused, and ruthless and make sure we get the three points," the Englishman noted.
That said, McClaren reiterated the need to continue going in strides as they build towards what many Jamaicans hope will be a 2026 FIFA World Cup crescendo.
"We’re taking this one game at a time, so we are now focused on BVI. It is not going to be easy; it’s an early kick-off, so it will be hot, and we have to make sure we are right mentally and physically to win the game," he ended.