Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

Burrell says there would've been casualties had Jamaica not qualified

Jamaica's senior men's football team's progression to the final round of CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup preserved the jobs of members of the coaching staff, according to Jamaica's Football Federation president, Captain Horace Burrell.

"There would have been severe casualties, there's no doubt about it, had we not advanced to the final round," Burrell shared following the post-game press conference held at the National Stadium on Tuesday night.

"Football coaching jobs is about results, so it would have even been disastrous in that area. I have no doubt that we would have had to have changes, so I am very happy with the way things have gone so far and we continue to hope for the best."

Sigh of relief

The staff, which comprises head coach Theodore Whitmore and the Brazilian trio of Walter Gama (technical director), Alfredo Montesso (assistant coach), and Armando Bracali (goalkeeping coach), were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday night.

The Reggae Boyz's 4-1 win over Antigua and Barbuda inside the National Stadium, combined with the USA's 3-1 triumph over Guatemala, resulted in the 52nd-ranked Jamaicans advancing to the final round by virtue of a superior goal difference over the North Americans.

"This victory tonight (Tuesday) has resuscitated new life in the football programme and, as such, I am very happy for this victory because I believe that our football is at a crossroads. Not reaching the final round would have been a disaster, to say the least," Burrell reaffirmed.

"From a financial standpoint, you could see the disaster from several areas; we would not be able to remain competitive and we would slide into oblivion, I think. We would have to withdraw from several tournaments, and that within itself would have been disastrous. The programme would have been adversely affected in every way."

Despite not being singled out by Burrell, the final whistle on Tuesday night saw Whitmore's future improve from a possible loss of job to a salary increase.

"Tappa (Whitmore) will get an increase in his salary," Burrell said.

Dane Richards netted a brace for the Reggae Boyz, scoring in the 78th and 88th minutes, to go along with goals from Demar Phillips (16th) and Nyron Nosworthy (17th). Antigua and Barbuda got their goal from Quinton Griffith in the 61st minute.

ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com