file - Ricardo Gardner

Ainsley Walters, Star Writer

IT'S simple. The Reggae Boyz must do what they have only done once in World Cup qualifying - beat Mexico - to keep their fingertip grip on whatever hope they harbour of qualifying for World Cup 2010.

It was November 1997 that Jamaica held regional kings Mexico to a 0-0 draw at the National Stadium for their historic qualification to the 1998 World Cup.

brink of elimination

Fast-forward 11 years and the Reggae Boyz, are on the brink of elimination from the 2010 qualifiers, sitting last in Group B of the semi-final round.

Jamaica have one point from three games, while Mexico, boasting a perfect record of three wins and nine points, are aiming at another victory, which would guarantee an early spot in the final round.

To make matters worse for the Boyz, their top striker, Marlon King, recalled by interim coach Theodore Whitmore after being dropped by hero-turned-villain Brazilian coach, Rene Simoes, is out with a back injury.

Still, the entire nation is expecting a miracle when the Boyz face a team which they've played 17 times, losing 15. Not to mention that three members of the team, striker Ricardo Fuller and the Stewart brothers, defenders Demar and Damion, decided to have a boxing match at training Thursday evening.

Still, coach Theodore Whitmore is upbeat for the must-win match, which has been branded 'no retreat, no surrender' by the Jamaica Football Federation and its president, Horace Burrell, whose administration unseated the Crenston Boxhill crew with the gloat of 1998 World Cup qualifying as its calling card. "We are all aware of the situation. We need three points. We'll be firing from all cylinders," Whitmore told Star Sports.

Whitmore's first task was to weed out a number of unproven players used by Simoes in two losses and a draw, 1-1 in Canada, 0-3 in Mexico and 0-2 against Honduras, who the Boyz will face on Wednesday at the stadium in the second of three straight home games.

Whereas Simoes' squad was highly defensive and were like lambs to the slaughter against Mexico in the Azteca, Whitmore has noticeably summoned speedy and creative midfielders such as Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jermaine Johnson and Omar Daley, suggesting the Boyz are ready to 'bring it' to the Mexicans in front of what should be a supportive home crowd.

looked vulnerable

Truth be told, the Boyz' hopes are not far-fetched as Mexico, apart from Jamaica sitting back and allowing them to have their way in Mexico City, have looked vulnerable in their other two games.

They were made to struggle in their opener with Honduras, needing two goals from Pavel Pardo in a dramatic fightback to win 2-1. They also endured a tense 2-1 win over Canada, all at home, leaving them more than suspect on the road against an attacking Jamaican team.

defended his side

Mexico's Swedish coach, Sven-Goran Eriksson, has defended his side's performances so far.

"Big wins just don't happen too often anymore," he said. "It's not easy to play against a team that shuts up shop. You need a little luck and an early goal, otherwise you must have a lot of patience," he was quoted as saying on FIFA's website.

Another concern of the Mexicans is the field at the National Stadium, which they expect to be uneven, spoiling their natural passing game, whereas Jamaica tend to use long and diagonal passes.

cunning in attack

The Boyz will need all the cunning in attack and defensive brawn at the back to pull off what could be their biggest ever win in a massive repair job, starting 7:00 this evening.

In other Group B action, Honduras could take their points tally to nine and virtually assure a place in the next round with a win over struggling Canada at home in San Pedro Sula, an unwelcome result for Jamaica.

Canada have only managed a point from their three games, but a Canadian victory would stall Honduras, buying time and wounding them for Whitmore's men on Wednesday.