McClaren Praises ‘Typical Jamaican’ Attitude Among Reggae Boyz
After Unity Cup final defeat, Jamaica’s next goal is qualifying for the 2026 World Cup
Steve McClaren, who came perilously close to winning his maiden trophy as head coach of Jamaica, was pleasantly surprised by his squad’s bonding in London.
The former England manager only had fringe players to tackle the Unity Cup in London. Yet he brilliantly masterminded a 3-2 triumph over Trinidad & Tobago to reach the final.
Nigeria and the Reggae Boyz battled their way to a 2-2 stalemate at Brentford’s stadium on Saturday afternoon. Cavalier SC forward Dwayne Atkinson was the only player to miss his spot-kick in Nigeria’s 5-4 penalty shootout success.
McClaren will now turn his attention to the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. They will travel to tackle the British Virgin Islands on 7 June, followed by the visit of Guatemala to Jamaica three days later.
McClaren explained at the Unity Cup final post-match press conference: “It’s been a tough week. Credit to the senior players, because we had a lot of youngsters come into the squad.
“We started with 17 players. We got some reinforcements in. I can’t believe how they’ve come together, which is probably typical Jamaican in how they look after each other and instantly befriend each other.
“So proud of the players in terms of their preparation and the two performances that we put on. We always talk about fighting to the end and that’s what they did.
“To lose by penalties [in the Unity Cup final] was disappointing but it was a milestone, and one which players and staff will all remember for a lifetime.
“If the players we couldn’t get for this Unity Cup come in [for the World Cup qualifiers] with the same spirit and work rate, we will certainly get the results we need to get.”
Jamaica’s next assignment after their back-to-back World Cup qualifiers is the coveted 16-team CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off in mid-June.
The squad that played in the Unity Cup is expected to be virtually unrecognisable from those selected for the Gold Cup, with McClaren anticipated to bring back the big guns.
Jamaica have been drawn in Group C with Guadeloupe, Guatemala and Panama. The top two teams from each of the four groups will progress to the Gold Cup quarter-finals.
The positive energy and spirit within the Jamaica squad highlighted by McClaren is something that he will be trying to maintain for the World Cup qualifiers and Gold Cup.
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