Reggae Boyz hit all-time low in world rankings

JAMAICA'S REGGAE Boyz have slipped two spots to 105th, hitting an all-time low in the latest FIFA world rankings.

Jamaica, who were ranked as high as 27 in August 1998, began the year ranked at 98 before jumping a few places to 90 in February.

However, since that time the team has slowly tumbled down the global football charts. Ranked 103 last month a patch of inactivity for the team which saw the cancellation of two friendly internationals may be the likely culprit for the recent drop. Jamaica will not play another friendly international until they tackle Barbados on the third of next month.

Sore point

International rankings have been a sore point for the country in recent times with the national team falling below 70th place on average in the official rankings over the past two years; thus, Jamaican internationals wishing to ply their trade in the United Kingdom will not be issued with work permits.

Soca warriors move up

In the regional rankings, Jamaica remain second behind Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors who moved up one spot to 88. Cuba are third with their ranking at 109, Guyana are fourth at 110 and Caribbean champions Haiti are fifth at 113.

Mexico remain the number one ranked team in CONCACAF, weighing in at 17 in the world. The United States are next at 21, while Honduras (36th), Canada (62nd) and Panama (67th) round out the top five.

Jamaica's World Cup qualifi-cation campaign will officially kick off when they face The Bahamas, ranked at 164, at the National Stadium on June 16.

The second leg of that tie will be held at the Trelawny Stadium three days later.