Jamaica Football Federation president, Captain Horace Burrell

The playing surface at the National Stadium is expected to undergo a major facelift ahead of Jamaica's opening home match of the World Cup qualifiers against Mexico on September 6.

During a recent training session at the venue, disgruntled national technical director, Rene Simoes, who was forced to use only half of the uneven pitch, had voiced his opinion on the issue. According to president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), captain Horace Burrell, he has been given the assurance that steps are already being taken to rectify the issue as quickly as possible.

"We have been assured by the minister who has responsibility for sports, Babsy Grange, that everything is being done by those responsible, for having the field returned to suitable condition," Burrell said.

"In fact, I think work has already begun on it and it will certainly be ready in time for the team's crucial World Cup qualifier against Mexico," he added.

The JFF also recently announced a time change for the game, which will see the fixture move from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. According to the association's president, the move, which was taken after careful consideration by the organisation, is with regard to security issues.

"We are expecting a massive crowd at that game and we want to ensure that our patrons, especially those coming from out of town, will be able to enjoy the football and go home at a reasonable time," Burrell said.

change of venue

Recently, the Mexican federation, had announced a change of venue for the return leg of the World Cup qualifier, which will see the Reggae Boyz once again make the journey to the dreaded high altitude Azteca stadium on October 11.

During the successful 1998 campaign, the national team, had also opted to host several of the World Cup qualifiers early in the afternoon, which would see players take the field in sweltering heat. Jamaica will open the semi-final round of the World Cup qualifiers against Canada at the BMO field in Toronto on August 20. The Reggae Boyz team, which will consist of mostly local based players, was scheduled to leave the island early this morning.