ANTICIPATION IS fast developing for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Mexico, with the big 'IF' surrounding the Reggae Boyz's capability to win.

The Central Americans won the first-leg encounter 3-0 at the Azteca, which is, quite interestingly, the second-best result achieved by a Jamaican team there, following the 2-1 loss suffered in 1996 by the super-talented outfit that gained historic qualification to the World Cup Finals in France 1998.

The 3-0, though, can be deceptive as it does not give a true reflection of the run of play or poor performance of Jamaica's team in that match.

Frankly, I don't know if any Mexican unfamiliar with the Reggae Boyz had a favourable impression of Jamaica's footballing skills because there was hardly any expression, especially in the second half.

Jamaica's first kick on goal came after the 40th-minute mark and it was a weak effort that slowly went to the goalkeeper.

Performance Criticised

Then technical director Ren? Simoes fairly criticised the performance saying, "we were completely outplayed".

What might have been more instructive was his follow-up: "Today, if you look at the game, we had six players who could have pulled out of the game."

He also accepted the blame for the performance, more though for the decision he took for the team to arrive in Mexico barely a day ahead of the match.

During the match, the team did not look tired. It is the first time I had seen a Jamaica team play at the Azteca - notorious for its altitude problems - and appear not to be troubled with breathing. Several players admitted the same.

What seemed more of a bother was the complement of the squad, which had a number of players who had not seen much action outside of local football.

The Mexico clash on Saturday will be the fourth match in the semi-final phase of the qualifying series. It comprises six games.

Strongest squad

This is the strongest Jamaica squad assembled thus far. It compares more to the squad selected for the qualifying 'friendlies' against The Bahamas.

There's no telling what might have been had this squad been selected for the first-leg game in Mexico.

But, at the same time, one has every right to believe that there would have been more contentment regarding the current state of affairs for one simple reason: Jamaica would have given itself the best chance by choosing its best team.

Now that's gone ... water under the bridge.

Points standing

Mexico lead with nine points, Honduras follow with six, while Jamaica and Canada are bottom of the barrel with a point.

Only two will qualify and Jamaica have to take a chunk out of the gap with three points to stay alive in the qualifiers.

It is achievable, especially at 'The Office' where Jamaica have earned good results against Mexico in World Cup qualifying, notably in '98 qualifying when the Boyz, on an Ian Goodison-header, won 1-0 on their way to topping the semi-final group phase. Then, the team drew 0-0 to qualify with the Mexicans, already through.

Jamaica have matched Mexico quite evenly outside the Azteca and even narrowly went down to a 1-0 loss in a competitive Gold Cup encounter in the United States in 2005 and there are differences with both teams.

Must-win situation

Jamaica possesses more of the talent that it never utilised. Never lacking quality, Mexico's game is steeped in tradition, but they are in a transitional phase, which encom-passes vulnerability.

With a must-win situation further defining their task, the strongest Reggae Boyz assembled for the quadrangular series are quite capable of providing a winning answer.

Email audley.boyd@gleanerjm.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.