Jamaica Whimper Out of Copa America
Reggae Boyz brushed aside by Uruguay
Je-Vaughn Watson’s own goal was the only strike that Jamaica managed to muster in their shocking showing at the Copa America Centenario. The Reggae Boyz had only pride to play for on Monday night when they tackled Uruguay at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, but were dismantled with ease to slip up 3-0. Head coach Winfried Schäfer, back on the bench following his ban from their opening defeat to minnows Venezuela, was given the chance to blood new faces in a contest against Uruguay.
Surprisingly the wily German kept exactly the same line-up that performed so well against mighty Mexico despite not being rewarded for their endeavours. Yet this time the Boyz were dismal as a team, and whimpered out of the tournament as the only side that had not scored a goal. And that has been the long-term failing for Jamaica under Schäfer. Their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign is in tatters due to a lack of firepower, and having competed in two Copa America competitions they have not managed to score in any of their six matches.
Their Copa America struggles are exemplified by the fact that they registered just 10 shots on target from their trio of group games this season, restricted to a mere two during the hefty reversal to Uruguay.
At last year’s Copa America the Boyz at least battled to a creditable 1-0 defeat against Uruguay, but never looked like scoring as the focus was on resolute defending.
Fast forward 12 months and Schäfer’s losing tactics have yet to be altered, so the Boyz still cannot find their scoring boots as they rely solely on counterattacks to snatch goals.
Uruguay, who had failed to bag a victory in their past five Copa America matches since turning over the Boyz last term, got back to their winning ways with aplomb.
Hull City’s Abel Hernandez broke the deadlock on 21 minutes, polishing off Nicolas Lodeiro’s perfect pass. Watson deflected a cross into his own net to double the lead on 66 minutes. With Matias Corujo bagging a last-gasp 88th-minute goal for Uruguay to keep a rare clean sheet.
With both sides having suffered defeats in their previous teams group games, it was a match without any real pressure and for players to impress their respective managers.
Uruguay, who have been crowned champions a record 15 times from the 42 Copa America competitions, were keen for star striker Edinson Cavani to notch his first-ever goal in the competition.
But Cavani was missing his usual partner in crime, fellow forward Luiz Suarez, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. And the Paris Saint-Germain hot-shot was unable to capitalise on a string of chances to break his duck and beat goalkeeper Andre Blake.
The Boyz played second fiddle throughout, unable to make much of an impact against disciplined opposition.
Jamaica appeared tired in the legs, lacking the creative spark that they need to become a force upfront.
Veteran Clayton Donaldson, who was exceptional against Mexico, was kept at bay and never looked like adding to his two international goals for the Boyz. And the talented Giles Barnes was also unable to make his presence felt.
Schäfer recently brought in English-born and based Donaldson to be his latest dangerman in a desperate bid to score goals, and played him for every minute at the Copa America.
But the coach’s obvious reluctance to develop young players from the island of Jamaica throughout his three-year tenure is obstructing the Boyz from truly developing.
This reliance of discovering English players in the lower leagues with a tenuous Jamaican heritage, especially if they are veterans, and then asking them to compete on the international stage is not working.
The Boyz are in disarray in their final World Cup group, returning to the fray against Panama in Panama City for a must-win match on 2 September. And four days later, Jamaica tackle Haiti in Kingston. Two reversals and surely Schäfer’s future will be questioned.
But the fact that Jamaica have departed the Copa America Centenario as the only side not to score a goal speaks volumes.
Jamaica: Blake; Taylor, Hector, Morgan, Mariappa; Watson, Williamson (Austin 69), McAnuff (Binns 80), McCleary (Orgill 73); Barnes, Donaldson. Subs: Kerr, Thompson, Harriott, Solomon, Grant, Marsh, Vanzie, Ottey.
Remaining 2018 World Cup qualifiers for Jamaica: 2 September – Panama (Panama City); 4 September – Haiti (Kingston)
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