Perfect chance to rebound

After their reality check in Curacao last week, the humbled Reggae Boyz and their clueless coach Steve McClaren will seek to revive their chances of automatically qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, when they host Bermuda tomorrow.

They now sit second in the group on six points, one behind Curacao, who play Trinidad and Tobago on the same day. The twin-island republic have four points.

The Boyz could not have asked for a better match to help them to forget last week's result. Having already beaten the visitors 4-0 away from home in the first set of qualifiers, a similar result is surely expected. Home advantage, time for good sense to seep in, and the return of 'key' player Isaac Hayden to stabilise the midfield should vastly improve the Reggae Boyz' showing.

Another factor that should be in the Boyz' favour is the fact that they will be playing on a bigger, natural surface.

While those and the reasons mentioned before will be pluses, the minuses could include a smaller and impatient home crowd.

For their part, the Gombey Warriors, as the Bermuda national team is dubbed, will want to land some blows of their own. They are still pointless and are rooted firmly at the bottom of the four-team zone. The Curacao victory over the Boyz, and the disjointed way the Boyz approached that game, could convince the Gombey Warriors they could make a statement in 'The Office'.

If that improbable outcome were to happen, then the likes of Luton Town forward Nahki Wells, Bermuda's most high-profile player, the team's joint-top scorer of all time, and their primary attacking threat and goalscoring outlet, will have to be at his very best. His experience playing in one of the toughest leagues in the world brings a level of clinical finishing and professionalism that is vital for Bermuda's attack.

Midfielder/winger Zeiko Lewis, the current team captain and creative engine in the midfield, is another who could be influential for them. He is known for his skill on the ball, vision, and ability to score goals. He often links up the midfield with the forward line and is one of the key playmakers in the attack. Goalkeeper Dale Eve, the veteran shot-stopper, is also crucial to their chances.

Despite all that, the Reggae Boyz have enough ammunition to make light work of Bermuda. Goalkeeper Andre Blake, the warrior Damion Lowe, Richard King, the unplayable Renaldo Cephas (if used properly), the emerging Tyrece Campbell, Hayden, Shamar Nicholson, Dujuan Richards, Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri, Jonathan Russell, and Jahshaun Anglin have more than enough quality to take care of the visitors.

The only thing that could undo the team is the McClaren factor -- a major part of the team's failing in Curacao.

McClaren's penchant for chopping and changing, his failure to reward good performance with playing time, and his habit of throwing new players in the deep end could all yet undermine the Boyz and their effort.