Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz (right) celebrates after scoring against Costa Rica during a friendly match in Guatemala City last Friday. Guatemala won 1-0. - AP

Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

According to Guatemala captain, Carlos Ruiz, losing is not an option when they tackle Jamaica in the open round of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) semi-final group matches at the National Stadium on Friday at 8:30 p.m.

The Central American team arrived in the island yesterday afternoon and staged their first training session at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

"We will see if we can tie or win here and then we receive the United State at home and try to win that game," Ruiz shared, following last night's training session. "The main point is to come here and tie or win the game," he added.

Ruiz, who spent a number of years in the US Major League where he represented clubs such as, Los Angeles Galaxy, FC Dallas, Toronto FC, and Philadelphia Union currently plays for second division Mexican club Veracruz.

Nine victories

Jamaica have never lost to Guatemala in 12 previous meetings; registering nine victories with three of the matches ending in draws and the centre forward is anticipating a tough game against Jamaica.

"We need to focus, as we have the first game against Jamaica which is one of the best national teams in the Caribbean, so we want to try to play good, hard and we will see after the game what is the other result between the United States and the other island," he outlined.

The 32-year-old leads his country in scoring, having netted 49 goals including the winner in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in their most recent outing.

"I have a lot of experience; this is going to be my fourth qualification for the World Cup," Ruiz revealed. "We have a lot of young guys in the national team, so my role in this team is to try to be an example on and off the field. I feel the team is filled with energy, so we are going to try to do a good World Cup qualification, and we will see if we can get far," he added.

If the attitude of the Guatemalan delegation since touching down at the Norman Manley International Airport, and in particular their coach, Ever Hugo Almeida, is anything to go by the Reggae Boyz are in for a real battle on Friday. Almeida declined interviews, first at the airport and then again before and after training. He has also requested that today's training session be closed to the media and the public.

The Guatemalans placed plenty emphasis during last night's training sessions on attacking down the flanks and set pieces.

Group A is completed by the USA and Antigua and Barbuda.