KINGSTON-Mexico coach Sven-Goran Eriksson admits John Barnes’ Jamaica side remain a mystery ahead of their the World Cup qualifier tomorrow.
The former Liverpool and England winger was appointed as the new Jamaica coach last month, succeeding Rene Simoes.
Assistant boss Theodore Whitmore will coach the Reggae Boyz for the match against Mexico, with Barnes not taking over until November.
And ahead of the qualifying match in Kingston, Eriksson said: “To be honest, I don’t know how Jamaica will play because they have appointed a new coach.
“I know him (Barnes) very well, but I don’t know what type of football they will play.”
El Tri will book their place in the final round if they beat Jamaica and Canada defeat Honduras on the same day.
Eriksson admitted he is keen to qualify for the deciding stage as soon as possible, particularly before the final matchday of the current phase against Honduras next month.
“I hope we can clinch the qualification before playing Honduras because we don’t want to play a decisive game against them,” said Eriksson, whose side also face Canada in Edmonton next Wednesday.
“We want to qualify as soon as possible. We have named 23 players for these two games. No matter what the score of the Jamaica game, all of them will remain for the Canada game on Wednesday.
“Winning or drawing is not important. Our goal is to qualify as soon as possible.”
Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Andres Guardado is banned for the Jamaica game, but Eriksson said he will play Canada.
“He cannot play Jamaica but is training with us anyway. He will be ready and eligible to play Canada and I already have in my mind the player to substitute him in the team this weekend,” the coach added.
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