‘We’ll keep fighting’
Whitmore remains positive after Boyz held 1-1 by USA in fan return
Published:Wednesday | November 17, 2021 | 12:11 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
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DESPITE THE surge from the 4,100 fans that were allowed into the National Stadium, Jamaica could not close the deal at ‘The Office’. With a seemingly game-winning goal by Damion Lowe ruled out, the Reggae Boyz were held to a 1-1 draw by the United...
DESPITE THE surge from the 4,100 fans that were allowed into the National Stadium, Jamaica could not close the deal at ‘The Office’.
With a seemingly game-winning goal by Damion Lowe ruled out, the Reggae Boyz were held to a 1-1 draw by the United States yesterday in their first home game with fans in attendance, in a match that fell on the anniversary of Jamaica securing World Cup qualification to the 1998 World Cup.
Unfortunately, Jamaica could not produce the same euphoria at the final whistle that day brought.
Timothy Weah scored the opener for the visiting Americans in the 11th minute, but Michail Antonio found the equaliser in the 22nd minute, which saw the Reggae Boyz start the second half of their campaign with only a point, which puts their chances of qualifying in jeopardy with games slowly running out.
Head coach Theodore Whitmore, in his post-game press conference, while not addressing the consequential moment, said better decision-making would have given them the three points that they desperately needed.
“I think we didn’t execute the way we wanted to, especially in the opponents’ final third. I think our decision-making was a bit off tonight. We could have easily come away with three points. But we’ll keep fighting,” Whitmore said.
LEADING GOAL
While Jamaica managed to be poised in the early stages, the United States eventually found their rhythm and caused pressure on the Jamaican backline. Their pressure was rewarded when Weah fired the Americans into the lead after doing well to muscle a defender and produce a deft finish past Andre Blake, silencing the crowd that was in attendance.
From there on the Jamaican defence had to be called into action to thwart threats from Brendan Aaronson, who needed a fine save from Blake to prevent them from doubling their lead.
But the fans were rewarded for their patience in the 22nd minute as Antonio produced a moment of brilliance, unleashing a curling shot from outside the area which gave goalkeeper Zack Steffen no chance.
It was Antonio’s second consecutive goal of the campaign but his first in front of the home fans, who revelled in the moment.
Despite the amount of pressure for the majority of the game, US head coach Gregg Berhalter said that the game went as he expected, with Jamaica’s physicality playing a role.
DESPERATION MODE
“I don’t think there were many surprises. They just executed the long balls really well, played it very direct and made it difficult. You have no choice, you can drop back really far, but you are defending deep into your half and we really wanted to avoid that,” Berhalter said. “Jamaica is a physical team and they were in desperation mode to get three points.”
Gregory Leigh, who was introduced at half-time for Kemar Lawrence, had the first shot of the second half as the Boyz looked to continue the momentum gained from the first half.
Gianluca Busio almost produced a moment of brilliance when his curling shot went over the bar. But Jamaica’s golden opportunity came in the 53rd minute when Lamar Walker’s cross was not cleared and the ball fell to Bobby Reid who was in front of goal. Incredibly, he put his effort over the goal.
Whitmore injected changes in Ravel Morrison, Anthony Grant and Junior Flemmings, which fuelled the Jamaican charge in the second half. Morrison had a shot from outside the box, but it was a comfortable save for Steffen.
But the Boyz continued to push for the winner and they thought they gave the home fans something to celebrate in the 83rd minute when Damion Lowe’s header went past Steffen and into the net.
However, the referee ruled the goal out because Lowe was adjudged to have committed a foul when scoring.
Jamaica had six total shots with two on target, while the United States had nine shots, with two on target.
The Jamaicans have now accumulated two points from the November window and seven overall from eight games.
The Reggae Boyz will play their next game on Thursday, January 27 against Mexico at the National Stadium, before closing the January window on the 30th with an away game in Panama.
Jamaica: Andre Blake, Liam Moore, Damion Lowe, Javain Brown, Kemar Lawrence (Gregory Leigh 45) Je-Vaughn Watson(Anthony Grant 68th minute), Lamar Walker (Ravel Morrison) Devon Williams, Bobby Reid (Junior Flemmings 68th minute, Leon Bailey (Oniel Fisher 88), Michail Antonio