AP - Mexico's Giovani Do Santos reacts after a tackle during the September 6 qualifying match against Jamaica in Mexico City.

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

FROM A historical perspective, the result of today's World Cup qualifying match at the National Stadium between Mexico and Jamaica could be determined by no more than a single goal.

In previous qualifiers when the Reggae Boyz have been battered in Mexico City in the first leg, they have always returned home and put up a steely display against the CONCACAF kingpins.

Jamaica and Mexico have played nine World Cup qualifying games. Mexico have won on all but two occasions. Jamaica won once and the other was a 0-0 draw.

While Jamaica have struggled to breathe, much less score, at Mexico's Azteca Stadium, all four games that have been played in Kingston have been close and keenly contested battles. The players exerted more confidence at home and played with a sense of equality than 'little Jamaica taking on big Mexico'.

inexplicable team selection

Based on Jamaica's current circumstances, those are good odds for a team that should have been in a better position in this second round of qualifiers had it not been for some inexplicable team selection by former technical director Rene Simoes.

Now interim coach Theodore Whitmore has gathered Simoes' rejects and, along with the core of the team that played in the first round, hopes history will work in its favour at 'The Office' tonight.

Jamaica first hosted Mexico on May 3, 1965 during the 1966 England World Cup qualifiers. The Mexicans overcame a 2-1 deficit at half-time to win 3-2.

Mexico's biggest win

Unfortunately, Jamaica were unable to keep the Mexicans in check when they travelled away as the Central Americans went on a 8-0 goal spree, Mexico's biggest win over Jamaica.

The second time both countries met at 'The Office' (Nov. 17, 1996), that game went into the annals of Jamaica's football history as one of the national team's greatest achievements. It was the final game of the semi-final round and Jamaica needed at least a draw to advance to the final round for the first time in their history. The stadium was packed to capacity and the fans were wired.

With nine minutes remaining in the game and Jamaica on course to advance with the game locked at 0-0, Ian Goodison sweetened the pot with an 81st-minute header from a corner. Pandemonium followed as Jamaica registered their first win over Mexico. More importantly, the 'Road to France' dream remained alive.

Everything positive

Jamaica Football Federation president Captain Horace Burrell said after the match: "Everything positive that could have happened did. Little Jamaica beat mighty Mexico. It is a performance I'll never forget all of my life."

November 16, 1997 marked the most significant match between Jamaica and Mexico at the National Stadium. Exhibiting patience and discipline in following Simoes' instructions, the Reggae Boyz held Mexico to a 0-0 draw, ensuring they got the point which secured their spot at the 1998 France World Cup.

The packed stadium was as interested in the US/El Salvador match as the one in front of them. Jamaica's qualification depended on El Salvador losing. With news coming through that the US were leading 2-0 and later 4-2, chants of "USA, USA" rang through the stadium.

islandwide celebrations

The sound of the final whistle triggered islandwide celebrations and prompted Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to declare the following day a public holiday. Jamaica's accomplishment made it the first English-speaking Caribbean island to qualify for the World Cup. Trinidad and Tobago became the second nation when they reached Germany in 2006.

Jamaica's 2-1 loss to Mexico on September 2, 2001, was a major setback in their bid to feature in their second straight World Cup - Japan/South Korea 2002. With Jamaica entering the second half with a 1-0 lead, midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco silenced the home fans with a double in the 62nd and 75th minutes. Jamaica's seven-year, 48-game unbeaten streak at the National Stadium came to an end.

Tonight's encounter will mark the fifth home game for Jamaica and 10th World Cup qualifier overall. At stake for Mexico is an early qualification to the final round, while Jamaica's 2010 World Cup campaign could depend on every minute of the game.

Will Jamaica stick to the script and handle business at 'The Office' or will the Mexicans flip the script?

JAMAICA VS MEXICO

(World Cup qualifying)

Venue Date MatchStage

2008 Mexico City 06/09/2008 MEX 3:0 (2:0) JAM Third stage

2002 Kingston 02/09/2001 JAM 1:2 (1:0) MEX Final round

2002 Mexico City 25/03/2001 MEX 4:0 (2:0) JAM Final round

1998 Kingston 16/11/1997 JAM 0:0 MEX Final round

1998 Mexico City 13/04/1997 MEX 6:0 (3:0) JAM Final round

1998 Kingston 17/11/1996 JAM 1:0 (0:0) MEX Semi-finals

1998 Mexico City 16/10/1996 MEX 2:1 (1:0) JAM Semi-finals

1966 Mexico City 07/05/1965 MEX 8:0 (4:0) JAM Final round

1966 Kingston 03/05/1965 JAM 2:3 (2:1) MEX Final round