Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Reggae Boyz assistant coach Alfredo Montesso (centre) passes the ball during the team's training drills at St George's College on Wednesday, while players Ricardo Fuller (left), Jevaughn Watson (partly hidden), Deon Burton (right) and Obrian Woodbine (far right) look on. - LeVaughn Flynn

National technical director Rene Simoes does not believe the high altitude of the Azteca Stadium will be a problem, when Jamaica's Reggae Boyz tackle Mexico in the semi-final round of the World Cup qualifiers tomorrow.

"The atmosphere of the stadium should not be a problem once you are physically prepared," Simoes said as the team wrapped up their final practise session, ahead of the qualifier, at the Harbour View mini stadium yesterday.

"All our sessions have been positive so far and we have been able to work on a few things that we know about Mexico," he added.

The thin air of the Azteca Stadium, which sits some 7,350 feet above sea level, has long been a problem for many of CONCACAF's team who make the dreaded trip to tackle Mexico's El Tri. The Mexicans' dominance at this level has been so complete that they have lost just one World Cup qualifier, a 2-1 loss to Costa Rica in 2001, since the stadium was built in 1966.

A number of teams in the past like the United States, have trained at altitude for weeks before travelling to Mexico City. The Reggae Boyz were originally expected to play the fixture in Jamaica at the National Stadium, but were forced to readjust their schedule after the fixture was switched to Mexico City, due to damage done to the facility by the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav.

However, Simoes believes that enough work has been done to prepare the team for the Mexican challenge. For a second straight day Reggae Boyz captain Ricardo Gardner did only light jogging and stretches yesterday, as he recovers from a groin strain. The player, one of the most experienced on the team, is expected to be ready to suit up for tomorrow's game. Midfielder Andrew Williams, who joined the team only yesterday, looked in good shape as he completed all of the drills. The team will depart the island today at 1 p.m. and arrive in Mexico City, en route Miami, at 3:55 p.m.