Headlines:
| Simoes optimistic despite defeat |
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| Sunday, 07 September 2008 | |
 National Technical Director Rene Simoes has cited
pre-game events as the main contributors to
Jamaica's 3-0 defeat to Mexico in their CONCACAF world cup
semi-final round qualifier
at the Azteca
stadium Saturday .
Coach Simoes says the players put up a valiant performance and should not be blamed for the loss. Simoes also explained that veteran defender Ian Goodison who put up yet another sterling display in defense should be fit for the Honduras game on Wednesday despite picking up an injury. Demar Phillips will miss Wednesday game against Honduras due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Honduras Saturday night defeated Canada 2-1 in Montréal to be on 3 points, that's 2 more than Jamaica and Canada while Mexico leads with 6 points. In other Concacaf results the United States celebrated their first visit to Cuba for 61 years by edging the hosts Cuba 1-0 to make it two from two on the road. The Americans now top group 1 with maximum 6 points, 2 more than 2006 world cup debutantes Trinidad and Tobago who ended 1-1 with Guatemala in Trinidad. The Soca Warriors will be without defender Avery John for Wednesday's crucial away clash against United States. He picked up a yellow card Saturday night, while his second in succession, having picked one up against the Cubans. In group three, Costa Rica stretched their lead after blanking Suriname 7-0 and El Salvador stayed second by blanking Haiti 5-0. Two teams from the three groups will advance to the final round of Concacaf qualifying for the 2010 world cup in South Africa. |