Anthony 'Badas' Corbett

Former national men's senior team football captain Anthony 'Badas' Corbett is urging fellow Jamaicans to not give up on the Reggae Boyz as they continue their quest for one of three automatic berths from CONCACAF to next year's World Cup Finals in Brazil.

Having played three of 10 games in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualification (WCQ) final phase, Jamaica find themselves at the bottom of the six-team group on two points. Panama are surprise leaders on five points, closely followed by the United States, Honduras and Costa Rica - all on four points apiece and perennial qualifiers Mexico on three.

"We should have tolerance and patience as it is a long journey, which is not over yet," Corbett, who is highly regarded as one of the finest Jamaican all-round players of all time, said during a fund-raising football extravaganza at Constant Spring Complex on Sunday, organised by the Unsung Ones Foundation, of which he is a founding member.

"It's not easy to just pick up players, bring them here and expect them to gel one time and then do wonders at the same time. Just give them a little more time. They are professionals," the 50-year-old Corbett said.

He hinted that while things are not the way they should have been, but the team should be given more time as the goal is to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time in the country's history. Jamaica created history when they participated in the 1998 World Cup in France.

"There are things that I would love to say too. But they are representing Jamaica, so I have to give my full support," he said.

"When I was playing for Jamaica there were a lot of people who didn't support us. Never supported Carl Brown (former national coach). I am going to give them my full support. Theodore Whitmore (national senior team coach), I am proud of him. He is one of us and he is running the team. I wish them all the best and all success towards qualifying for the World Cup," he added.

Corbett represented Jamaica in the 1980s and early 1990s. He retired before the successful campaign leading up to the 1998 World Cup.

Jamaica are yet to win a game in the current campaign, but are still in the race for a spot in next year's World Cup. They will next host Mexico in a return game on Tuesday, June 4 at the National Stadium. They will face the United States three days later at the National Stadium.