THE
That's how vital this afternoon's World Cup first round qualifier against Dominica is.
The first-leg match in Roseau last month ended in a 1-1 stalemate and Griffith acknowledged that nothing less than a victory at Kensington Oval would do.
"Should we lose to Dominica, I would quit on the spot for sure. I would resign from coaching the senior national team right on the spot.
"We have to beat Dominica, there is no question about it. We must beat Dominica for football to rise in this country," said a pensive Griffith after supervising the team's final training session yesterday afternoon.
Griffith said Barbados – unbeaten in four matches this season – will be bolstered by overseas-based players Emmerson Boyce, Jonathan Forte and Craig Worrell.
He said Barbados are about two goals better than Dominica.
"With their foreign-based players and playing at home in 90 minutes of rain, pitch muddy and sand, they were comfortable in their own domain and with their fans making a 12th man, they played very well.
Better team
"You have to give them credit, but we are a better team than Dominica by at least two goals and I think we will put it right," he said.
Defender Boyce, 28, whose father is from St Lucy and mother from St Andrew, plays for Wigan Athletic in the English Premiership; left-winger Forte, 21, plays for Scunthorpe, while Worrell, who has played for Charlton and Ipswich in England, is now based in Egypt.
They will join other overseas-based players: Ireland-based Alvin "Banana" Rouse, the first-choice goalkeeper, and England-based striker Jonathan Nurse.
"The appeal is to play international football. I consider myself a Barbadian and I feel it's the right thing to do to play for my country. I am really looking forward to it," Boyce said in a report on his club's website prior to his arrival in Barbados.
It will be the first international football game at the cricket famous Oval in 20 years and Griffith is happy to play there and have the overseas-based players in his line-up.
"The last time we played here was against Trinidad in 1987, but they are enjoying the pitch and the width. Everything here is superb at the mecca. In addition, with the overseas-based players, we are a lot stronger and more confident."
Dominica, who have six overseas-based players, are just as upbeat, and manager Samuel Luckie believes they are ready to topple the Barbadians.
"We intend to beat Barbados and will do so.The game will be won on the day and by the team that plays the better football, and we will play a better game.
"Fans can expect good football and intelligent play from Dominica. We will shock the Bajans. I am extremely confident we will pull it off with our solid all-round team. It is not a question of if we will beat Barbados, but how," said Luckie.
The referee for the 3 p.m. kick-off is Carlos Batres of Guatemala; the match commissioner is Tom King of the United States.