Jamaica – Mexico

Jamaicans do not look like hopeless outsiders

Jamaica will play Mexico on Thursday, 13 July. A curious trend in the odds emerged ahead of the match. Initially the odds on Jamaica were 10.00, but then the odds almost halved. The Jamaican team is the main pleasant revelation at this tournament. The team went the distance almost perfectly. It started with a sensational draw with the USA. Next, the Jamaicans saw no resistance in the group stage matches, and defeated Guatemala in the quarterfinals. Jamaica outclassed their opponent in terms of the amount of danger created at the gate, despite only having a minimal advantage in the scoreline. Initially, the national team's breakthrough could have been predicted. First, the team had a European-level coach for the first time. Icelandic Hallgrimsson had previously made history with his country's national team. Now he has shown that those breakthroughs of the northerners were not accidental. Secondly, Jamaica have been able to lure under their national team banner players who would have previously opted for England. Currently, Gray, Antonio, Bailey and Reid are the team's attacking linemen. All current players are from APL clubs. The rest of the national team is also not made up of second-rate teams. At worst, it's teams from the MLS. They are somewhat lacking in depth, but Spartak forward Shamar Nicholson, for example, is only available as a substitute. Another big plus is that there are no injuries to the leaders. Mexico have no reason to doubt themselves just yet. The team do not have any top-level players from the AFL. That said, the squad is definitely stronger than that of Jamaica. The Mexicans got out of the group easily. There was a misunderstanding against Qatar, but the statistics were too telling: 24 shots to 1. Also, the game had no tournament significance. Mexico had no adventures in the quarterfinals. "The Tricolours beat Costa Rica 2-0. The advantage was big. Ajax star Edson Alvarez is the key link in this national team. The midfielder controls his team's play from the supporting area. There are no big questions on defence. Legendary veteran goalkeeper Ochoa justifies number one so far. Mexico have a deeper squad, but not many players in the attack, capable of creating a goal through individual skill. The Mexican team is rightly the favourite in the line-up. At the same time, no easy win is in sight. Jamaica's strength is in attack. It is doubtful that the national team will fight back. Earlier, the Islanders were not intimidated by the USA. In addition to scoring a goal, there was an unrealized penalty kick. A Jamaica like this is capable of a sensation.