Hallgrimsson eyeing Copa America last eight
Published:Saturday | December 9, 2023 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
National team head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson believes the Reggae Boyz can progress to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa America tournament, following the draw for groups in Miami on Thursday.
Jamaica were drawn in Group B alongside Concacaf giants Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador and he said the teams in the group are evenly matched and that any two can advance.
“We are quite pleased (with draw). I think it is an equal group, probably the most equal group of all of them. Even though Mexico are highest on the FIFA rankings, it’s not likely that they will be runaway winners.
“So everyone can take points from anyone and there is not a team anyone can take for granted,” he said.
He said in a group where teams are evenly matched, it’s best to keep the focus on themselves.
“Unlike some groups on paper where you are going to say these are clear winners, I don’t think in our group there is a clear winner.
“When there is a group like this, you just try and focus on yourself and try to make as few mistake as possible. We just need to prepare and anything is possible. We can progress from this group like all the other teams,” he declared.
It will be a busy 2024 for the Reggae Boyz. Fixtures will include the Nations League semifinal against the United States in March, the Copa America which runs from June 20 to July 14, as well as the start of the World Cup qualification campaign.
FULLY PREPARED
Nevertheless, Hallgrimsson said they are fully prepared for the year ahead.
“We have put our schedule down for the year (2024), and for the next three years. For the new year we will focus on preparing for everything. I will also go to England to talk to some players.
“January was always planned to be around domestic players and to get some camps in Jamaica. Hopefully, we get in one or two, or even more (friendly) matches,” he said.
However, from mid February onwards he said the focus will be on preparing for the various competitions they will be involved in.
“From mid February, we will focus on he Nations League semifinal against United States. After that we need to focus on the World Cup but we still don’t know the teams we will be playing at that time.
“We need to be really focus on the next project, so after the Copa America ends in July we will have the World Cup (qualification) starting in late September, October or November.
“So plenty of games and different types of tournaments for the national team, so our focus needs to be really sharp and shifting from one project to the other,” Hallgrimsson said.