Reggae Boyz coach hopes expertise makes a distinction
Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson mentioned he hoped selecting a squad filled with a number of skilled gamers will allow the Jamaica Reggae Boyz to carry onto the highest spot in Group A of League A following their Concacaf Nations League match in opposition to hosts Mexico on Sunday.
The Jamaicans have 5 factors within the three-team group and maintain a one-point lead over the Mexicans, who face Caribbean Soccer Union aspect Suriname on Thursday in Paramaribo earlier than their group stage finale in opposition to the Boyz within the excessive altitude of the Azteca Stadium.
Heimir Hallgrimsson retained solely seven gamers from a world pleasant in opposition to Trinidad & Tobago that the Boyz drew 0-0 on March 14 on dwelling soil at Kingston’s Nationwide Stadium.
The Iceland-born coach mentioned he expects to see higher decision-making and execution from his aspect in opposition to the Mexicans.
“We weren’t proud of how we performed, a variety of technical errors, however these gamers haven’t performed collectively, so there have been misunderstandings between gamers,” he mentioned at a information convention on Tuesday. “However there have been a variety of lengthy balls, means too many. There was an absence of persistence on the ball and a insecurity in creativity on the ball.
“Our ways will likely be solely for this Mexico camp. So we can have some issues that we want to emphasize in our attacking after which different issues in our defensive sport. It is a completely totally different workforce with extra skilled gamers used to enjoying on the highest stage, used to enjoying nationwide groups video games.”
The 23-member squad contains the skilled defensive trio of Dexter Lembiksia of English Premier League membership aspect Wolverhampton Wanderers, fellow EPL defender Ethan Pinnock of Brentford, and Kemar Lawrence, who performs for Minnesota United in Main League Soccer in the US.
England-born midfielder Jonathan Russell, who performs for English League 1 membership Barnsley, has additionally earned a spot within the squad for the match in Mexico Metropolis.
A notable omission is the current Chelsea signing, teenaged ahead Dujuan Richards, whereas West Ham United ahead Michail Antonio and Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake can be out because of accidents.
Heimir Hallgrimsson mentioned extra alternatives for gamers plying their commerce at dwelling will likely be provided sooner or later in an try to search out out the depth of expertise obtainable, however the match in opposition to the Mexicans was an enormous project.
“We wish to see how they’ll do enjoying with extra skilled gamers,” he mentioned. “I believe that they’ll take a step up by enjoying with higher gamers round them.
“Not that others had been dangerous, however simply because we wish to see these guys. There have been positions that we would have liked, so we appeared to the blokes we simply began work with. Sooner or later, we won’t take so many from the native league, however let’s see how they do.”
The Jamaicans hope to win to achieve a spot within the CNL Finals in June within the American metropolis of Las Vegas, and an automated berth into the following Concacaf Gold Cup in June and July in the US, a path Hallgrimsson mentioned will likely be splendid for his aspect.
“That is only a totally different project, a unique job,” he mentioned. “In fact, that’s the precedence, and it’s extremely vital for us. It will assist us quite a bit to go to the semi-finals. That might give us two preparation matches for the (Concacaf) Gold Cup. It’s at all times higher to play official matches quite than friendlies.”
CMC/