Members of Grenada's football team arrive for the Digicel Caribbean Championships at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. - Junior Dowie

Thomas Jordan, coach of Barbados, said he is confident his side can beat Jamaica's Reggae Boyz in their opening Group A match at the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships tomorrow at National Stadium.

The Jamaica, Barbados clash which kicks off at 7 p.m. is the second match of a double-header. Grenada will face Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match, starting at 5 p.m.

"We are going to be competitive and try to do our best because we want to do our country proud and we also hope to beat Jamaica," said Jordan in an interview with STAR Sports shortly after his team's arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. Also arriving yesterday were Jamaica's other Group A rivals, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.

Confident team

"Our team is pretty confident even though we didn't get enough practice games to keep the players in tune but we are happy to be here and we want to give a good showing," Jordan said.

The Barbados 18-man squad for the tournament reflects a rebuilding unit although the 37-year-old veteran Gregory Goodridge was recalled for the tournament. Goodridge, who was on Queen's Park Rangers' premiership roster in 1995-96, has not represented his country since the 2006-07 Digicel finals.

The Barbadians are currently ranked fourth in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) behind Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago and the Reggae Boyz.

Trinidad and Tobago, who are the only team in the Caribbean to secure a berth in the final round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, are the most successful team in the competition with eight titles.

However, Trinidad and Tobago will be using an under-strength side for the tournament, as a number of their overseas-based players, including captain Dwight Yorke, Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones are currently playing in Europe.

Recalled striker Errol McFarlane said he is looking forward to the challenge.

"I hope my inclusion in the team will a positive one," said McFarlane.

"I hope to add a lot more depth to this already talented bunch of players. This is an opportunity for me to impress the new coach because this is the first time I am playing with him," he said.

Full strength

Grenada, who are ranked at 139 in the world, defeated the Reggae Boyz 2-1 in a friendly international in June. Their team will be at full strength for the tournament, with the addition of their overseas-based players, including captain Anthony Modeste of local Digicel Premier League team Portmore United, midfielder Shalrie Joseph of New England Revolution (USA) and Junior Rudolph Williams.

Modeste said he is confident his team will do well in the tournament.

"We are very optimistic about our chances because we know the opponents ahead of us and we are coming here to play good football and we are going to take it one game at a time. Hopefully we can qualify for the semi-finals," said Modeste.

"We are also looking forward to playing Jamaica because our last result against them was a good one," he added.

Members of the Barbados football team relax at the Norman Manley International Airport, shortly after their arrival for the Digicel Caribbean Championships yesterday. The tournament kicks off at the National Stadium tomorrow at 5 p.m. - Junior Dowie