KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Jamaica will be without two key players when they face group leader Costa Rica in a must-win game in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) Hexagonal stage at the National Stadium here tonight.

Goalkeeper and captain Donovan Ricketts and tough-tackling midfielder Rodolph Austin both committed infringements in last Friday’s drawn match against Panama in Panama City.
Ricketts picked up a yellow card issued by Guatemalan referee Lopez Walter Alexander for time-wasting while Austin will also miss the game because of a red card he received in Friday night’s game.
“Ricketts is out on two yellow cards and Austin is also out. The referee made poor decisions,” said Winfried Schafer, Jamaica’s head coach, in an interview with The Gleaner before a training session Sunday.
“I am not sure of the team as yet. We will see. We know we have to make changes”.
With Dwayne Miller not yet fully recovered from a twisted left ankle, suffered in training last week, Jacomena Barrett joined Richard McCallum and Gariece McPherson as the goalkeepers vying for the top spot.
Jamaica will have to make at least two changes to the lineup in a game that the Reggae Boyz must win in order to stay alive in their quest for a spot in next year’s FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil.
Alvas Powell, who picked up an injury against Panama and was replaced, is in training, but Schaefer said if he is not fully recovered he will not play.
“I don’t play injured players, so if he recovers he could be in the team,” the coach disclosed about Powell’s chance of playing against Costa Rica.
“As you can see, the vibe in the team is good. We are like a tiger, we have to fight. Nobody can kill us.”
The Costa Ricans, who could seal a spot in the 2014 World Cup Finals by beating Jamaica, were expected on the island yesterday afternoon.
With three rounds of games remaining in the Hexagonal stage, Costa Rica lead with 14 points, closely followed by the United States on 13 points, Honduras (10), Mexico (eight), Panama (seven) and Jamaica (three).
“We have to win the three matches. The situation is the same. I know before that it is not Christmas. I hope the stadium is full. We need the 12th man in the stands,” said Schafer.
After the six nations complete their 10 games in October, the top three on points will qualify for the World Cup, while the fourth-placed finisher will battle Oceania champions New Zealand for another spot.