Key Boyz very upbeat

Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sport

VIRGINIA, United States:SEVERAL key Reggae Boyz are confident that Jamaica will break the long-time jinx against the United States in their CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final today, when the senior national teams meet at the RFK Stadium in Washington DC, at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Jamaica time).

"Tomorrow is a big game, a big test for us and I feel really confident, not only in myself, but the team is confident and that is good going into the game tomorrow," said Demar Phillips, the wide midfielder who has scored three of its seven goals, following their final training session at the RFK Stadium yesterday.

Jamaica swept its three group matches in unprecedented fashion without conceding a goal and Phillips says maintaining their form should guarantee success.

The Americans beat Canada 2-0 and Guadeloupe, but lost 2-1 against Panama, who won the group with seven points. Dane Richards, an attacking midfielder who has two assists and plays in the MLS for New York Red Bulls, says they can't pay attention to the US form.

few bad games

"The US are just having a bad few games, this is the quarter-finals and they're going to come full out. They're under a lot of pressure so that will motivate them to play better," he said.

The Boyz have lost nine times in 17 encounters against the US, but striker Ryan Johnson, who also plays in the MLS and has netted twice this tournament, thinks the time is ripe for a Jamaica win.

"I feel this is the best opportunity to do it (beat US), but at the same time all the talking needs to stop, we need to do it tomorrow," Johnson said. "I'm sure we're gonna score, so defensively we need to do what we've been doing and we'll be fine."