Jamaica's Reggae Boyz preparing for today's crucial CONCACAF semi-final round World Cup qualifying match at the National Stadium. - Ricardo Makyn

At approximately 8 o'clock this evening Jamaica's Road To Brazil and the 2014 World Cup could become a dead end.

Victory against Antigua and Barbuda in the team's final qualifying match in CONCACAF semi-final round Group A may not be enough to get the team through to next year's final round of qualifying.

A win will push Jamaica to 10 points, the same as the current leaders Guatemala and the United States. A draw in Kansas City in the United States will ensure that both the USA and Guatemala advance whatever happens at the National Stadium as both countries will move to 11 points. Only two teams will advance.

handsome victory

The fate of the Reggae Boyz is therefore not entirely in their hands. Their first task today is to score a handsome victory, by at least three clear goals, then hope that either the United States or Guatemala lose. Jamaica could then advance as the second-place team in the group with a superior goal difference. Both the United States and Guatemala have identical records going into today's matches including a plus three-goal difference. Jamaica's goal difference is zero.

Upbeat Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore Whitmore.

Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, head coach of the Reggae Boyz, said yesterday that everyone is well aware what is at stake and he is confident they can deliver.

"We just have to do what we have to and hope that something can happen for us in the USA and Guatemala game," said Whitmore, prior to his team's final training session at the National Stadium yesterday.

"We just have to remain positive and concentrate on the job at hand," he said.

The Reggae Boyz will be boosted by the return from injury of robust midfielder Rodolph Austin, who missed the 2-1 defeat to Guatemala last Friday.

However, midfielder Jason Morrison, who started against the Guatemalans, is suspended because of an accumulation of yellow cards. Defender Adrian Mariappa, who sat out the Guatemala game because of injury will be a game time decision.

Whitmore said there is no additional pressure on his players.

"No, this is football and you have to expect the worse," said Whitmore. "It is only one situation at the moment ... go out there and give a good performance and see if we can get some goals.Ó Both teams played to a 0-0 draw in their first round encounter.

Meanwhile George Dublin, captain of Antigua and Barbuda, who are at the bottom of the four-team group with one point, said his team will be looking to secure a positive result.

"We are expecting to play a good game of football and hopefully the better team on the day will win," said Dublin.

"We don't have anything to play for in terms of going forward into the next round of football, but we definitely have some pride to play for and to show that we deserve to be in this round.

"We need to leave this round with some dignity and pride," the Antigua and Barbuda captain said.

Antigua and Barbuda's Randolph Hillsworth Burton (right) in action against the United States at home in St John's last Friday. The US won 2-1. - AP

GROUP A

P W D L GF GA Pts

Guatemala 5 3 1 1 8 5 10

USA 5 3 1 1 8 5 10

Jamaica 5 2 1 2 5 5 7

Antigua 5 0 1 4 3 9 1

Today

Jamaica vs Antigua

United States vs Guatemala

Both games kick off at 6:15 p.m.