Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will be looking to take a stranglehold on Group E of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers when they play away to the British Virgin Islands at the AO Shirley Recreation Ground in Road Town on Saturday at 2:00 pm.

Jamaica and Guatemala lead the group with six points from two games, but Jamaica are sitting in second spot with an inferior goal difference. Dominican Republic and Dominica are on three points, with the British Virgin Islands at the bottom, pointless after three games.

The top two teams will advance to the next round, as Jamaica will be hosting Guatemala on Tuesday at the National Stadium in Kingston, in what could be a top-of-the-table clash.

The Reggae Boyz have won both games played, defeating the Dominican Republic 1-0 and Dominica 3-2 in 2024 and should have little difficulty securing three more points against a BVI team that lost all three games, conceding 10 goals.

Head coach Steve McClaren has named a pretty strong team, which surprisingly included 35-year-old West Ham striker Michail Antonio, who has recovered from a horrific car crash in December 2024.

Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey has also been recalled along with Bobby Reid of the relegated Leicester City, Demarai Gray and Romario Williams. There was no place for Shamar Nicholson as the promising Tyreece Campbell, who was voted Charlton Athletic’s Young Player of the Year, made the cut.

In defence, Damion Lowe and Ethan Pinnock are back, along with team captain Andre Blake in goal.

“We have to be focused, ruthless and make sure that we get the three points,” said McClaren.

Last week, Dominica defeated BVI 3-0, and McClaren noted that he got to watch that game, “which is a good advantage”.

“We’ve looked at them, I think certainly, with the new coach they’ve got, they’re trying to play football and trying to do it the right way, and I commend them for that,” McClaren observed.

He continued: “I know they got beat, but it was a close game and it was a tight game and BVI have got players, who can play football and they can score and they’re dangerous on set pieces. We have to be very wary”.

Jamaica:

Goalkeepers- Andre Blake, Shaquan Davis, Jahmali Waite

Defenders – Kyle Ming, Richard King, Joel Latibeaudiere, Mason Holgate, Dexter Lembikisa, Amari’i Bell, Greg Leigh, Damion Lowe, Ethan Pinnock

Midfielders – Kasey Palmer, Isaac Hayden, Bobby Reid, Jon Russell, Dwayne Atkinson

Forwards – Michail Antonio, Romario Williams, Demarai Gray, Warner Brown, Leon Bailey, Renaldo Cephas, Rumarn Burrell, Kaheim Dixon, Tyreece Campbell