PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Former FIFA vice-president Austin “Jack” Warner has sounded a note of caution to Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors, warning them not to underestimate Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz ahead of their decisive Concacaf World Cup Qualifier on Thursday.
Despite Jamaica’s ongoing recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, Warner insists the Caribbean powerhouse remains a formidable opponent.
“Jamaica is a strong team, and they must not believe at all that Jamaica is weak — not even because of Hurricane Melissa, should they feel so,” Warner cautioned during a recent interview on Isports i95.5 FM.
Must-win battle for Trinidad and Tobago
The encounter at the Hasely Crawford Stadium carries massive stakes for Trinidad and Tobago, who currently sit third in Group B with five points — trailing Jamaica (9) and Curaçao (8). A loss could deal a fatal blow to their qualification hopes.
Warner, also a former Concacaf president and long-serving head of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), emphasized the importance of composure and focus under pressure.
“I would like to urge the players to be calm, to take the game as normal as possible and hope for the best,” he said. “Take the game one step at a time, be very strong, and I think that they can pull it off. If not, that’s the end.”
Lessons from the first encounter
In their previous meeting on September 9 in Kingston, Jamaica claimed a 2-0 victory, asserting their dominance before a passionate home crowd at the National Stadium. That result left Trinidad and Tobago with ground to make up — and a point to prove — as they prepare for the return leg on home turf.
Home advantage — A double-edged sword
While playing at home is traditionally viewed as an advantage, Warner suggested it could also bring its own psychological challenges.
“It is always an advantage to play at home, but if they were playing away I think it might have been better,” he observed. “The thousands of fans will be beating down upon them, and this could cause some upset in the team’s psyche.”
Still, the former football strongman believes the energy of local supporters could prove decisive if channeled correctly.
“A large crowd supporting them, urging them on, can do wonders — and that is what I hope will happen,” Warner added.
High stakes, high emotion
As both nations prepare for Thursday’s showdown, Warner’s message is clear: respect the opponent, embrace the moment, and rise to the challenge. For Trinidad and Tobago, victory means survival; for Jamaica, it represents another step toward the World Cup dream.
