Head coach John Barnes (right) and his asistant, Theodore Whitmore, in deep discussion. - file

COACH John Barnes has reached halfway up the mountain with the Reggae Boyz, qualifying the team for next summer's Gold Cup in the United States, but continues to hammer the threat of complacency ahead of today's Digicel Caribbean championship semi-final match against Guadeloupe.

Jamaica face the French-speaking Caribbean men at 7 p.m. at the National Stadium, the closing match of a double-header, which opens with Group A runners-up Grenada tackling Group B winners Cuba at 5 p.m.

The only unbeaten team in the semis, Jamaica advanced from Group A with a 1-1 draw on Sunday, eliminating Trinidad and Tobago, after registering 2-1 and 4-0 wins over Barbados and Grenada, respectively.

Disappointment

However, Barnes, who expressed disappointment with Jamaica's performance against Trinidad and Tobago, describing it as "the worst" he has seen to date, yesterday reminded all and sundry that nothing is assured in football.

"You can never guarantee a result, you can only guarantee a performance," he told journalists at yesterday's semi-finals press conference, which featured the four Gold Cup-bound paricipants.

"We won't be taking them (Guadeloupe) lightly at all, we've to respect them," said the former Liverpool and England winger, who officially took over as coach for Jamaica's opening match against Barbados.

"We've to respect their quality," he added. "Against Cuba, they showed that they're a good ball-playing side, so it'll be a difficult match. But, if we play, as well as we can play, we should win.

"We've to recognise that we've a difficult test against Guadeloupe but I'm like anybody else, I feel confident that we can win it, but it's not a foregone conclusion so we've to approach it in the right manner."

Precautionary approach

Barnes' precautionary approach to Guadeloupe might be a bit over the top as they have only won one match, beating weakened defending champions Haiti 3-2.

In each of their three matches, Guadeloupe conceded two goals, losing 1-2 to Cuba and drawing 2-2 with Antigua and Barbuda, as well.

Jamaica topped a far more competitive group with the likes of Grenada, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago and should have no problems putting away Guadeloupe.

The Reggae Boyz boast superior firepower, fielding an impressive line-up loaded with overseas-based players.

Striker Luton Shelton has two goals to his credit along with wide midfielder Eric Vernan of Portmore United. Midfielder Rodolph Austin and forward Omar Cummings have also been on target for the Reggae Boyz, who should use speed and guile to overrun Guadeloupe.

Their technical director, Franck Louis, sounded more hopeful than confident of his team's chances against Jamaica.

"I'm very proud and very happy to go to the Gold Cup," he said. "I'm looking forward to the competition.

"Obviously, today is going to be a very important game, especially against Jamaica, who are hosting the competition. Hopefully, we can move on.

"We've conceded a lot of goals, which is unusual. We plan to do some things against Jamaica to change that."

Meanwhile, Cuba against Grenada should be an interesting matchup, which could go either way.

Haiti snapped Cuba's win streak with a 1-0 win on Monday, whereas Grenada, coached and led on the field by Portmore United's Anthony Modeste, beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 and Barbados 4-2, sandwiched by a 4-0 loss to Jamaica.

Left: Eric Vernan versus Barbados in Digicel Caribbean football championship. Luton Shelton (right) celebrates scoring a goal with teammate Dane Richards. Right: Jamaica's Luton Shelton (right) celebrates scoring a goal with teammate Dane Richards, during the opening Digicel Caribbean Championship football match against Barbados at the National Stadium. Jamaica won 2-1 and went on to top Group A with seven points. Both strikers are key to Jamaica's goal of winning the championship. - ian allen photos