Reggae Boyz Stifle Honduras to Earn Precious Nations League Point to extend Steve McClaren’s Unbeaten Run
Andre Blake bosses box to star for Jamaica
Andre Blake was Jamaica’s saviour, with half-a-dozen crucial saves, as the Reggae Boyz clinched top spot in CONCACAF Nations League A Group B with a insipid scoreless draw against Honduras on Monday.
The 33-year-old, who is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the region, was razor-sharp as usual inside Kingston’s Nation Stadium to end up as the side’s hero.
Blake, who had kept a clean sheet in the flattering 2-0 victory over Nicaragua in the previous Nations League tie, was given a new-look defensive four with recent recruit Mason Holgate given his first start by Jamaica’s head coach Steve McClaren.
Yet again the Reggae Boyz were outplayed overall, with McClaren deploying possession-based tactics and kicking off with his favoured defensive-minded 4-2-3-1 formation.
After letting veteran Mikhail Antonio warm the bench in Nicaragua, there was a reaction expected from the English Premier League ace. Yet the West Ham star rarely got the ball at his feet in the opening half.
Honduras head coach Reinaldo Rueda, who had overseen a 3-2 thriller against French Guiana to steer his side to just a point behind the Boyz, stuck to his guns with his 4-4-2 formation.
The two sides, who would both qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals in November with a stalemate, never really shifted into top gear. Honduras were sloppy with their passes, while Jamaica seemed more intent on frustrating their opponents than defeating them.
Blake’s brilliant save on the half-hour mark to deny Antony Lozano, was the highlight of a dull opening 45 minutes.
McClaren sent on striker Renaldo Cephas on after the turnaround for midfielder Norman Campbell. His bid to get the game going and to add some much-needed firepower failed miserably, as the Boyz started to get overwhelmed in the middle of the pitch.
There was another throw of the dice from McClaren by introducing former schoolboy sensation Kaheim Dixon, who now plies his trade in England with Charlton Athletic, to play alongside Antonio. The young striker was given a run out on the hour-mark in place of midfielder Tyreek Magee.
Honduras responded with an astute double substitution five minutes later, defender Cristopher Melendez replaced wide midfielder Edwin Rodriguez and there was a straight swap upfront with Jorge Benguche on for Anthony Lozano.
Despite these changes, the meeting still saw very few goal-scoring chances in a lacklustre battle. Only Blake’s agility between the sticks, to deal with any danger, kept the Boyz in the dreary contest.
Dixon’s ambitious 69th-minute effort from just outside the penalty area went perilously close, but finished wide of the target, was a rare highlight. The Boyz simply lacked cohesion, and seemed to have forgotten their shooting skills.
Recognising that the front line was not clicking, McClaren went for a double substitution with just six minutes remaining. Forward Romario Williams, who scored with a simple tap-in against Nicaragua in his last match, was swapped for yellow-carded Antonio and Mount Pleasant midfielder Jahshaun Anglin replaced the ineffective Demarai Gray.
Yet chances remained few and far between for the Boyz against the battling visitors. Jamaica finished the encounter with no shots on target from four efforts, which effectively left keeper Edrick Menjivar redundant.
It was a different story between the sticks for Jamaica, with Blake needing to be on toes as Honduras peppered the goalmouth with 13 shots overall.
The scoreless draw was enough for both teams to progress in the competition, extending Jamaica’s unbeaten run to eight matches against Honduras. The result also maintained McClaren’s run, with a pair of draws and two triumphs in his four games at the helm.
Jamaica topped the table with Honduras as runner-up. Third-placed Nicaragua were 3-2 winners over French Guiana and Trinidad & Tobago beat Cuba 3-1. Those defeats mean that both Cuba and French Guiana were relegated to League B for the next edition.
It is now back to the drawing board for McClaren, who needs to work out how his squad can create more chances and be sharper in front of goal. The Boyz will compete in the Nations League quarter-finals during the next international break, scheduled between 11-18 November.
JAMAICA: Blake – Leigh, Pinnock, Holgate, Lembikisa – Latibeaudiere, Palmer – D. Gray (Anglin, 84), Magee (Dixon, 60), Campbell (Cephas, 45) – Antonio (Williams, 84). Subs: King, Lambert, Decorvoda-Reid, T.Gray, Davis, Bell, Waite
CONCACAF Nations League A Group B Results
Jamaica 0 Honduras 0
Nicaragua 3 French Guiana 2
Trinidad & Tobago 3 Cuba 1
CONCACAF Nations League A Group B Final Table
1. Jamaica (+3 goal difference) 8pts
2. Honduras (+4) 7pts
3. Nicaragua (+/-0) 7pts
4. Trinidad & Tobago (-2) 5pts
5. Cuba (-2) 3pts
6. French Guiana (-3) 1pt
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