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Jamaica hunt WCQ victory against ‘spirited’ Bermuda
September 05, 2025
Although the Reggae Boyz will enter today's fixture against Bermuda as favourites, head coach Steve McClaren has warned his players to show respect to their opponents as he expects a spirited performance from the Bermudans.
Jamaica will take on Bermuda today to open Group B action in the final round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.
Despite Bermuda being ranked 92 places below Jamaica on the FIFA World Rankings, McClaren said they still pose a danger.
"We know this is not going to be an easy game. We've experienced these games where we're expected to win and we have to be professional, do our jobs and make sure we match their spirit and make sure we get the win," he said.
The Reggae Boyz boss said he's watched the teams over their last few games, pointing to their recent games against Honduras and Cuba as proof of their quality.
"Bermuda have done unbelievably well to be at this stage. I've watched many games, they have great spirit," he said.
"I think before we think of anything about tactics, about how we're going to score, our strength and weaknesses and how we're going to defend, we have to respect Bermuda. They've had good results to get to this stage. I've said to all our players, this is not going to be an easy game. We need to fight, we need to be together," he said.
"I don't expect to win this game fairly comfortably. When I've watched games, we played Cuba and they beat Cuba twice. We played Honduras and they were two-nil up at half-time against Honduras and were unlucky, 5-3 at the end."
Some of McClaren's concerns come as the team will be missing several key players due to injury.
Team captain and veteran goalkeeper Andre Blake, Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, Ethan Pinnock, Joel Latibeaudiere, Bobby Reid, Di'Shon Bernard and Amari'i Bell are all absent from the squad.
This, McClaren said has opened the door for other players, who he believes have the quality to get the job done.
The Mount Pleasant pair of Jamoi Topey and Kemar Foster have received a call-up to the squad along with Renaldo Webster of KF Shkendija.
"It's been a tough window. Two or three weeks ago, we looked as if we had some of the players that we've not got now. The likes of Andre Blake, Lembikisa, Pinnock, Bell. It's nearly a back four that we've got missing," he said.
"In the midfield, Bobby Reid, Demarai Gray, Leon Bailey; so we're missing some very important players for us, but we've brought in very good players. They're young players, they're inexperienced players and this will be fantastic for them," McClaren remarked.
"But we're not talking about experience, we're talking about coming here and getting the job done and using the experienced players that we've got to make sure they do the job and we find a way to win."
