Reggae Boyz Need to Be ‘Perfect’ for Nicaragua Test
Artificial grass beckons for Jamaica in vital World Cup Qualifier
Winfried Schäfer believes that Jamaica can recover from Friday’s shock to Nicaragua and steer their way safely into the next stage of the World Cup Qualifiers – but have to be ‘perfect’ in terms of team discipline.
But the head coach has to overturn the first leg’s 3-2 reversal when the Reggae Boyz tackle the central America minnows at the Nicaragua National Football Stadium in Managua tomorrow (8.30pm ko local time).
And the hosts play on artificial grass, something that many Jamaican players will not be used to apart from the contingent who ply their trade in the North American MLS.
The fast surface will suit Vancouver Whitecaps hot-shot Darren Mattocks, who bagged his 11th international goal last Friday, and the 25-year-old’s fine form could make the difference between victory or bowing out with a wimp.
Mattocks said: “I’m pretty confident we will learn from Friday and get the job done in Nicaragua. To get back two goals is definitely something we are going to build on.
“Nicaragua have got a good set of players and attack as a team. But now we know how they play we’re going to make all the corrections needed.”
Mattocks is one of six strikers in the squad – Giles Barnes, Deshorn Brown, Andre Clennon, Romeo Parkes, Michael Seaton and Je-Vaughn Watson – with Schäfer expected to select three to start the tie in order to pepper the Nicaragua goalmouth.
Yet Schäfer is fuming with his entire squad, not just those who failed on Friday, after witnessing another undisciplined display.
Jamaica’s feeble final loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final was considered to be down to exhaustion after competing in the Copa America and the Gold Cup, but there was no excuse for their collapse to Nicaragua – despite the consolation strikes from Mattocks and defender Adrian Mariappa, which at least gives the Boyz some hope of progressing from the two-legged contest.
The veteran German coach had instilled a dreary defend first then rely on the counterattack tactic back in November, which won the Caribbean Cup, but this was clearly absent in Kingston’s National Stadium on Friday – and resulted in the home fans booing a handful of the Boyz during a dull encounter where Jamaica looked second best.
Schäfer explained: “On Friday many things in the first half-hour were wrong, and we talked at half-time a little bit – that is why we are in this position now.
“I told them that to play against Nicaragua we must press them and fight to win all the ball first, and only in the last half-hour did we made this happen when we went for everything.
“I don’t know why our supporters booed him Michael Hector, he’s a young player and it was the first time he was playing for us in Jamaica.
“I told all 23 players that I was sure they would win on Tuesday. Because I believe then these players have to believe as well.
“But all of the players have to do the same that we did in the Gold Cup by fighting for each other with good discipline in the field.
“Together we can change this situation and get into the next group phase of the World Cup, but to do so the team discipline has to be perfect.”
JAMAICA SQUAD: Goalkeepers – Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Duwayne Kerr (Sarpsborg, Norway), Dwayne Miller (Syrianska, Sweden)
Defenders – Sergio Campbell (Columbus Crew), Upston Edwards (Portmore United), Hughan Gray (VPS Vaasa, Finland), Michael Hector (Chelsea), Rosario ‘Rossi’ Harriott (Harbour View FC), Lance Laing (FC Edmonton), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls), Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace), Demar Phillips (Real Salt Lake), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers), Ladale Richie (Montego Bay United), Cordell Simpson (Montego Bay United)
Midfielders – Rodolph Austin (Unattached), Simon Dawkins (Derby County), Joel Grant (Exeter City), Christopher Humphrey (Preston North End), Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards – Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo), Deshorn Brown (Valerenga, Norway), Andre Clennon (VPS Vaasa), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps), Romeo Parkes (Isidro Metapan, El Salvador), Michael Seaton (Portland Timbers), Je-Vaughn Watson (FC Dallas)
Qualifying 3rd Round (Two-legged ties, first legs played)
Curacao 0 El Salvador 1, Canada 3 Belize 0, Grenada 1 Haiti 3, Jamaica 2 Nicaragua 3, St. Vincent & Grenadines 2 Aruba 0, Antigua & Barbuda 1 Guatemala 0
September 8: Nicaragua v Jamaica (Nicaragua National Football Stadium, Managua, 8.30pm ko local time)
Qualifying 4th Round (Round-Robin)
Group A: Honduras, Mexico, Curacao or El Salvador, Canada or Belize
Group B: Panama, Costa Rica, Grenada or Haiti, Jamaica or Nicaragua
Group C: Trinidad & Tobago, USA, St. Vincent & Grenadines or Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda or Guatemala
Final Qualifying Round (Round-Robin)
Top two teams from each group will play in a six-team mini-league, with the top three automatically qualifying and the fourth-placed team moving into an inter-Continental play-off.
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