GUATEMALA CITY -- The Jamaican national team practiced for the first time on the ground in Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of its vital World Cup qualifier Friday against the host Chapines.

Mired in a three-way tie atop Group A in the CONCACAF semifinal round, the Reggae Boyz know a result against co-leader Guatemala would go a long way towards lifting them into next year's final round.

With the idea of taking three points in what figures to be a packed Estadio Mateo Flores, Jamaican players say they are concentrating on what they can do to take the game to an injury-depleted Guatemalan side missing a number of key defenders.

"This is a very important game for both sides," said Jamaican captain Luton Shelton.  "We're not focusing on Guatemala, but rather on ourselves.  We know it won't be easy to face them at home, where they play very well."

Guatemala has secured four points out of a possible six at home in this round, tying the United States (1-1) in June and then seeing off Antigua and Barbuda (3-1) last month.

Jamaica, for its part, have struggled somewhat on the road in semifinal round play, dropping points with a scoreless draw in Antigua before losing to the U.S. in Columbus, Ohio, on match day four.

"This will be a tough match, three teams have seven points and what happens Friday will go a long way towards deciding things," said Jamaica head coach Theodore Whitmore.  "Every team has its destiny in its own hands, so this becomes more complicated."

Jamaica will practice again Wednesday at Estadio Manuel Carrera, before a walk-through at Mateo Flores on Thursday evening.

With two matches pending, Guatemala is atop Group A with seven points, tied with the U.S. on a plus-two goal differential.  Jamaica, also with seven points, sits a close third on goal difference, with a chance to change that as soon as Friday night.

Following the game at Mateo Flores, the Jamaicans return home to close the semifinal round by taking on Antigua and Barbuda, Group A's last place team. Guatemala travels to Kansas City, Kansas, to face the U.S.