Sheffield Wednesday ace Bailey Cadamarteri secures Jamaica call-up for crucial World Cup qualifiers
Sheffield Wednesday ace Bailey Cadamarteri has been given the chance to try and help fire Jamaica to their first World Cup in almost 30 years.
Sheffield Wednesday striker Bailey Cadamarteri has been included in the Jamaica squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago and Curaçao during the November international break.
Jamaica currently occupy top spot in their qualification group after winning three and losing one of their opening four qualifiers. They beat Bermuda 4-0 in their most recent qualifier to move back to the summit, one point ahead of second-placed Curaçao.
It means they are in pole position to win Group B and secure their place at next summer’s World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Cadamarteri, who was recalled to Wednesday’s starting XI for Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Southampton, has started three of Jamaica’s opening four qualifiers, scoring one goal - netting in the 2-0 home win over Trinidad and Tobago in September.
Jamaica are in charge of their own destiny
Jamaica will resume their qualifying campaign against Trinidad and Tobago at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday (12am UK time), knowing a victory will open up a seven-point gap on them, meaning they would be out of the running for an automatic qualification spot.
Depending on the outcome of Curaçao’s tussle with Bermuda, it means Jamaica’s clash with the former at the National Stadium in Kingston on November 18 could decide who takes top spot and secures their place at next summer’s World Cup.
A victory for Jamaica against Trinidad and Tobago, coupled with a defeat for Curaçao against Bermuda, will see them open up a four-point gap at the top of the group and qualify ahead of what will otherwise be a winner-takes-all showdown in their final group game in a little over a week’s time.
Should Jamaica finish second in the group, they could still have a chance of qualifying for next summer’s showpiece event in the United States, Mexico and Canada as FIFA rules state the two best runners-up from the three Concacaf qualifying groups will meet in a play-off match to decide who secures a place at next summer’s World Cup finals.