IT’S a showdown that all and sundry seem ready for. Their destiny hinges on it, and while they know that it won’t be easy, they take comfort in the fact that they have done it before. And they hope to do it again.

That’s the scenario facing Jamaica when they tackle Mexico in the fourth game of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying play-offs here at the National Stadium today. Kick-off is slated for 8:30 pm.

Sitting at the bottom of the Hexagonal, with two points from three games, Jamaica will be looking to do what they did when the teams last met here in a World Cup Qualifier on October 11, 2008, and again on November 17, 2006 — score a victory.

Panama are the surprise leaders of the group with five points, one ahead of Honduras, the USA, and Costa Rica, with Mexico on three.

Tonight’s game will be the only one in the play-offs, as it was brought forward by the world body FIFA, through CONCACAF, to accommodate Mexico, the regional champions, participation in the June 15-30 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

“I am pretty much confident going into the game tomorrow (today), because the last few training sessions were positive and everybody was on a high, and that gives me the morale boost for a good game,” head coach Theodore Whitmore told the Jamaica Observer after his team completed a closed training session at the National Stadium last evening.

“Sunday morning was a wonderful training session and this afternoon again, but it is just the whole mood and attitude of the players, it’s clear for the last two sessions,” beamed the coach.

He added: “We know what we have to do, and we know the three points are important, and we are looking forward to a good game.”

When the team met at the high altitude Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on February 6, the Boyz left the famous pitch to a standing ovation from the home crowd, who heaped boos on their players after a historic 0-0 result.

That despite a mere one-and-a-half training sessions together.

However, as a team, the Reggae Boyz have not been able to repeat that disciplined performance, having battled to a 1-1 result against Panama on March 22 at home, and then losing 0-2 to Costa Rica four days later away in San Jose.

But, despite Whitmore being upbeat with the mood of the players over the last few days, the fact that the team comes into today’s crucial battle in less than ideal preparation, can’t be ignored. The Mexicans entered training camp on May 23 before journeying to Houston, Texas, to face African champions Nigeria in a friendly international last Friday, which they ended 2-2. Head coach José Manuel de la Torre praised his players after the game for the character shown as they played for 63 minutes one man down.

Top striker Javier Hernandez notched both goals for ‘El Tricolor’, having also netted a double against Honduras in a March World Cup Qualifier.

Jamaica had no such preparations, though they did play against English Premiership outfit Tottenham Hotspur in The Bahamas on May 23. That game was played without most of the United Kingdom-based players who are expected to don the colours today. In fact, Whitmore and his technical staff did not get the full complement of players on the training pitch until last Friday evening.

Nonetheless, the coach believes that Mexico, who are used to being in pole position, will be under more pressure than his team.

“I think it will be more pressure on the Mexican team than on the Boyz, because it is our home game, and we know what we have to do, and I think the Boyz play best when they are in situations and conditions like these; so I think it will be no different tomorrow (today),” he argued.

“We don’t want to feel like we are under pressure, because we don’t want to lose the game as well. So we are going to fight to the last whistle.

From all indications injuries and the suspension of Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson could force about five changes to the team which the Mexicans faced in February.

Only one of the four defenders — Adrian Mariappa — from then is available for today, with German-born Daniel Gordon expected to join him in central defence. The technical staff has been praising young defender Alvas Powel, and he is expected to slot in at right back, with seasoned campaigner O’brian Woodbine at left back, as captain Donovan Ricketts is expected to guide the Boyz from the goal.

Marvin Elliott, the only man to have netted thus far, and partner Rodolph Austin should form the defensive midfield line, with the recalled Je-Vaughn Watson and Garath McCleary occupying the flanks. It is believed that Jermaine Hue will float in behind Ryan Johnson, who did very well against the Mexicans without scoring in the Azteca.

Whitmore was not overly bothered by the players absent, preferring to focus on those players available. “We are selecting the best and strongest possible backline to play against the Mexicans,” was all he was prepared to say, though he admitted that the lack of goals was a concern.

“It is always a concern, because goals win matches. But come tomorrow (today), the striking boots will be on,” he promised.

The Jamaican 23-man squad will be completed by Dwayne Miller, Andre Blake, Montrose Phinn, Adrian Reid, Omar Daley, Evan Taylor, Damion Williams, Jermaine Beckford, Theo Robinson, Darren Mattocks, Keammar Daley, and Jermie Lynch.