Head coach Henry Duarte (pictured) will lead Nicaragua into a World Cup qualifier against host Jamaica on September 4, 2015. (Photo courtesy of Federación Nicaragüense de Fútbol)
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Nicaragua head coach Henry Duarte is enthusiastic about the ability of his side to execute its game plan against host Jamaica on Friday, when they meet in the first leg of a World Cup Qualifying, third-round series at the National Stadium.
Such confidence is supported by the Pinoleros’ impressive results in the competition thus far. They are a perfect 4-0-0, prevailing over Anguilla (agg: 8-0) and Suriname (agg: 4-1) in the first and second rounds, respectively.
"It's a difficult game, but we will try to impose our style there with intensity, which will be the key to the game," Duarte told CONCACAF.com in an exclusive interview. "We cannot tackle the game in Jamaica’s style, but we must have the personality to play the ball short and low.”
Finding a way to slow down the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up is Nicaragua’s biggest challenge yet.
“We will call for the management of good football at an elevated capacity, eliminating Jamaica’s intensity and power,” Duarte, a 56-year-old Costa Rican, expressed. “If we succeed, we will have the game in our favor.
“Nobody expects that Nicaragua will be in this game based on the background of each selection, but we will seek victory by all means."
The second leg will be played on September 8 at the Estadio Nacional in Managua.
NICARAGUA ROSTER
(World Cup Qualifying: September 4, 2015, away v Jamaica; September 8, 2015, home v Jamaica)
GOALKEEPERS: Justo Llorente (Real Esteli), Erling Mendez (Juventus), Driedich Tellez (Managua FC)
DEFENDERS: Luis Fernando Copete (Walter Ferretti), Oscar Lopez (Managua FC), Josue Quijano (Real Esteli), Francisco Paz (Real Esteli), Manuel Rosas (Real Esteli), Alejandro Tapia (Walter Ferretti), Erick Tellez (Diriangen)
MIDFIELDERS: Juan Barrera (Altach/Austria), Carlos Chavarria (Real Esteli), Norlan Cuadra (Juventus), Franklin Lopez (Real Esteli), Marlon Lopez (Managua FC), Luis Peralta (Walter Ferretti), Elvis Pinell (Real Esteli)
FORWARDS: Daniel Cadena (Walter Ferretti), Luis Manuel Galeno (Real Esteli), Erick Lazo (Juventus), Norfan Lazo (Real Esteli)