The 1998 World Cup

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The World Cup victory for France, in the scenic country of France, was not only a first for them, but was also the first time that Jamaica made it to the big stage. After many years of frustrating results, and a lack of funding for their program, which left them unable to compete at the international level at all, Jamaica successfully qualified for their first ever World Cup.

The 1966 World Cup was held in England, and this was to be the first time Jamaica would attempt qualification. In 1965, Jamaica began the long road that is World Cup qualification. Things began well, as Jamaica was able to qualify out of a group containing the Netherlands Antilles and Cuba. The next round would not be so easy, as they came up against regional powerhouse, Mexico, and future spoilers, Costa Rica. Jamaica finished bottom of the group and their fist World Cup qualification was over.

During the 1970s, Jamaica was unable to improve on their first qualification attempt. They lost all their qualifying games for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. In 1974 Jamaica withdrew from qualification after 17 players were suspended. In 1978 Jamaica’s qualification come to an early end after back to back losses against Cuba.

The 1980s had to be the absolute low point for Jamaica, since it began its quest to make it to the World Cup. Due to a poorly prepared team and insufficient funds, Jamaica did not attempt qualification for either the 1982 World Cup in Spain or the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

The 1990s started off much brighter. Jamaica began the round of qualification, for the Italian hosted World Cup, with two wins. Although the victory came over the unheralded, Puerto Rico, it was surely a confidence booster after so many years in the soccer wilderness. Unfortunately, their next opponent was the surging USA. American was to host the next World Cup, in 1994, and were starting to make inroads in international soccer. After holding the United States to a goalless draw at home, they lost 5-1 in the return game, thus ending qualification.

Qualification for 1994 saw Jamaica again dispatching, with relative ease, Puerto Rico. Jamaica then found itself in a group with Bermuda, Canada and El Salvador. After opening with ties against Canada and Bermuda, Jamaica lost its next 3 games. Although they beat Bermuda in their final game, it was too little, too late, as Canada and El Salvador qualified for the to next round.

In a desperate attempt to get their program on track, Jamaica hired Brazilian manager, Rene Simones, to shore things up. Simones used all means at his disposal to improve the team and scoured the country, and the world, for eligible players. British players of Jamaican descent were picked up, even though some of them had never even been to Jamaica. He was also able to secure more funding for the team. In no time, Jamaica became a powerhouse in the Caribbean region. They also received the “Best Mover” award by FIFA 1996. In 1997, Jamaica became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to qualify for the World Cup. They even managed a victory over powerhouse, Mexico, in the process.

Jamaica’s introduction to the World Cup, well, could have been better. They lost their first game 3-1 to emerging power, Croatia. They then went on to lose 5-0 to two-time champions, Argentina. Jamaica can take some pride from the tournament, as they did something many first time teams don’t, they won a game. Jamaica managed a 2-1 win over co-debutant, Japan. Japan has now become a dominant team in its region and has improved in each of its subsequent appearances. Jamaica, on the other hand, has sunk back into relative obscurity, as their program, once again, fell into disarray. Regardless, they can still take pride in their one appearance in the world cup, a magnificent feat on its own.

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Topics: Travel and Leisure | Comments Off

Tags: Brazilian manager, fifa, hosted cup, Jamaican losses, Jamaican soccer, qualifying, soccer inroads, Travel and Leisure, world cup

Article Citation
MLA Style Citation:
Nickel, Robert "The 1998 World Cup." The 1998 World Cup. 3 Feb. 2012. uberarticles.com. 25 May 2012 <http://uberarticles.com/travel-and-leisure/the-1998-world-cup/>.

APA Style Citation:
Nickel, R (2012, February 3). The 1998 World Cup. Retrieved May 25, 2012, from http://uberarticles.com/travel-and-leisure/the-1998-world-cup/

Chicago Style Citation:
Nickel, Robert "The 1998 World Cup" uberarticles.com. http://uberarticles.com/travel-and-leisure/the-1998-world-cup/

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