Jamaica

Jamaica qualified for their first Nations League final four tournament on away goals scored with a second half burst of three goals in a 3-2 away win Canada to tie the overall aggregate at 4-4.

What to expect

It was a good turnaround for the Jamaicans who looked to be exiting the tournament with 12 minutes to go. Three of Jamaica’s goal were scored by Shamar Nicholson.

Going into their semi-final match-up against the USA at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Jamaicans will be hoping that their English Premier League contingent will provide them with enough quality to make the difference. Though they don’t have their full quota of English-based stars.

Leon Bailey, in standout form for Aston Villa, has been dropped for breaking curfew in the last Jamaica camp. Trevante Stewart has similarly been dropped. Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock and Luton’s Amari’i Bell are also out with injuries.

Winger Demarai Gray is selected despite overcoming an injury. Both he and Nicholson are both suspended for the first match but will be available for either semi-final or the final.

So the attention falls on who Heigar Hallgrimsson does have available and much will inevitably depend on West Ham forward Michail Antonio and whether he can bully the US centrebacks, and Fulham’s Bobby Reid.

In goal the Jamaicans do have probably the best goalkeeper in the MLS with Philadelphia Union’s Andrew Blake.

Hallgrimsson has called in two new England-based players into the squad – midfielder Karoy Anderson of Charlton Athletic and forward Bailey Cadamarteri of Sheffield Wednesday. Though overall the squad selection does have the feeling of having one patch too many.

Hallgrimsson has yet to really get the talent he has at his disposal firing consistently on all cylinders, but in reality he is likely to have his eyes on World Cup qualifiers in June and the Copa America to be played in the US this summer.

Players to watch

Proven Premier League performers Michail Antonio and Bobby Reid will be the driving forces in this Jamaican team if they are to mount a serious challenge to the US. Jamaica are short of two key defenders and the dropping of in-form Leon Bailey was a very brave move by Heimar Hallgrimsson, so the concept of attack being the best form of defence could be the strategy if they come looking for the win.

Demarai Gray added a different creative dimension for Jamaica at the 2023 Gold Cup but will not be available until the second game. Shamar Nicholson, who is putting together a run of goal scoring form, will similarly not return to selection eligibility until then.

Much will rely on Andre Blake not just as a shot stopper but as an organiser of the defence in front of him.

Hallgrimsson has called up just three Jamaica-based players to his squad, one of them is 19-year-old Clarendon College and Arnett Gardens striker Kaheem Dixon who has been having a breakthrough season in the domestic league and, given the opportunity, might provide a surprise element in attack.

Manager

Icelander Heimir Hallgrimsson was a player in Iceland where he also began his coaching career, working from assistant manager of the national team from 2011-13, and then taking on the full managerial role until 2018. From 2018-2021 he coached at Al-Arabi in Qatar before moving to Jamaica.

He has quickly brought more organisation to a team that in the past could be criticised for a lack of focus. Hallgrimsson replaced Paul Hall as head coach in Sept. 22, with the Gold Cup in 2023 being hist first major tournament with the Jamaicans. Drawing their opening game against the US – one they should have won but squandered too many chances – they went on to the semi-finals where they were beaten by Mexico 3-0.

Schedule

March 21 vs USA, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas 4pm

March 24 vs either USA or Jamaica in 3^rd place decider or final, Arlington, 3pm or 6.15pm

Squad