Lurker Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 From jamaicawin.com FIFA has determined that the Group B World Cup encounter between Jamaica and Mexico will be played this Saturday in Mexico City instead of at the National Stadium. JamaicaWin.com was informed that the decision was taken in a conference call between the FIFA Stadiums review Commission and the Jamaica and Mexico Football Federations. President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell confirmed the change. The condition of the pitch at the local venue, which was under repair, has reportedly deteriorated with the passage of tropical storm Gustav. FIFA looked at the following options before making its decision: 1- That the game be played at a neutral venue 2- That the game be played on a different date 3- That the fixtures are reversed, with Jamaica playing Mexico in Mexico City this Saturday and Mexico returning to Jamaica on October 11. The first two options were difficult to meet as Jamaica would not cede their home advantage and the logistics of playing on a non-official FIFA date would not suit the coaches. They would have access to the players for 48 hours instead of the 72 on official match days. Therefore the most popular option was for Jamaica to play away this Saturday and host Mexico later. Jamaica held Canada to a 1-1 tie while Mexico beat Honduras 2-1 in the first set of games played on August 20. Group B World Cup matches remaining: 6.9.2008 Jamaica - Mexico 19:00 Kingston, JAM 6.9.2008 Canada - Honduras 20:00 Montreal, Quebec CAN 10.9.2008 Honduras - Jamaica TBD TBD, HON 10.9.2008 Mexico - Canada 20:00 Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas MEX 11.10.2008 Mexico - Jamaica 21:00 Ciudad de Mexico, MEX 11.10.2008 Honduras - Canada TBD TBD, HON 15.10.2008 Jamaica - Honduras 19:00 Kingston, JAM 15.10.2008 Canada - Mexico 19:00 Edmonton, Alberta CAN 19.11.2008 Jamaica - Canada TBD Kingston, JAM 19.11.2008 Honduras - Mexico TBD TBD, HON Only last week, regional body CONCACAF cancelled a CONCACAF Champions League game between Harbour View and Mexican club Pumas FC on the back of news of the passage of Gustav. The game was originally scheduled for Thursday night, but was later rescheduled for Friday. It was later cancelled, forcing Harbour View to play the deciding game in Mexico. JamaicaWin.com will have LIVE TEXT coverage of all of Jamaica’s World Cup games. Click on the Jamaica vs Mexico button and give your views today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 I'm not really sure how this affects our chances. Mexico could be 9 points up with 3 road games to play and Jamaica could have 1-2 points with 3 home games to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadiankick97 Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 It could make Mexico slightly more complacent against us, especially if they dispose of Jamaica easily at the Azteca. Don't think it makes a big difference though overall with respect to us (tougher for Jamaica I would think, though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 It definitely helps our chances in Edmonton. It will now be the 2nd away match in less than a week for the Mexicans and if they take points off of Jamaica (in Kingston) they might come with a little less bite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 I just did a little number crunching (I know, if win them all we're in but after years of being a Canadian Soccer fan I always have a calculator handy), let's imagine this scenario (scores made up purely to show the results)... Canada 2 - Honduras 1 Mexico 3 - Jamaica 0 Mexico 3 - Canada 1 Honduras 1 - Jamaica 1 Honduras 1 - Canada 0 Jamaica 1 - Mexico 2 Standings going into Edmonton... Mexico 4-0-0 12 pts Canada 1-2-1 4 pts Honduras 1-2-1 4 pts Jamaica 0-2-2 2 pts In this scenario Mexico would be through and we assume Can or Hon draw either of the games against each other the Mexicans would still be through (in fact, in Mexico wins their first 4, which seems very likely, I don't think there is a way for them not to be through). Second road game in a week plus they would likely already be through = good news for Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theaub Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 With the CAN/JAM tie, there are only 35 points available in the group, so if Mexico starts off 4-0 they're in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg75 Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 The Mexicans should also be less acclimated to the heat in Tuxtla Gutierrez. Mexico City is currently seeing daytime highs in the low 20's, while Kingston, JA and TG are both in the low 30's. Forecasts for Montreal this week are in the same range as Mexico City, with a chance of rain for next weekend! [8] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Regardless of the advantage/disadvantage for us, this seems like the fairest solution to the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Odd schedule for sure. It will mean that Mex plays the first 3 group stage games at home and the last three away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free kick Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 There is a 90% chance of rain on Saturday in Montreal. http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CAQC0363 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy K Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 This is bad. Assuming Mexico takes advantage of 3 straight home games with wins, they can play for a tie in their final three games. If not for the TFC game that day, they should have played that Mexico-Jamaica game in Toronto, I am sure Toronto's JA community could of out-numbered the Mexican supporters here (darn! MLS really needs to harmonize their calendar with FIFA!) Makes Canada's game in Montreal a must-win now (if it wasn't already). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javier Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 mexico took advantage as always , CONCACRAP ONCE AGAIN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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