NEWS

Boyz say first win positive step, eye quarter-final spot

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

SAN DIEGO, California – One down, two to go.

That's the mindset of Jamaica's Reggae Boyz, who downed Curacao 2-0 to grab a share of the early lead in Group C of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Tournament being contested here in the United States.

Romario Williams in the 58th minute and substitute Darren Mattocks in the 73rd minute were on target as the Reggae Boyz avenged their recent 1-2 loss to the same opponents in the CFU Caribbean Cup in Martinique a few weeks ago.

The result left Mexico atop the four-team group with three points, the same as Jamaica, with El Salvador and Curacao bringing up the rear.

For captain Andre Blake and a number of his teammates, it was most important to get off the mark first time of asking, in any tournament situation.

“Big three points for the team and a confidence booster going into the second game,” declared Blake shortly after completing a pool recovery session at the team's hotel yesterday morning.

Goalscorer Mattocks concurred. “I loved the performance as it was very good to get three points from the first game, because that sets us up well to advance to the quarter-finals,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“I think it was a really good team performance — individually and collectively — and we just have to keep it going against a very good Mexican team,” he added.

For Red Bull wingback Kemar Lawrence, he would have preferred if the Boyz had taken control of the game much earlier.

“I really wanted us to put the game away from the first half so that second half we wouldn't put ourselves under so much pressure. I felt that we could have shown more control of the game with more calmness; but for a team which hasn't played together for much — we haven't been together for two months or two weeks in a training camp either — I like what I see, and it's a positive step forward,” he said.

Blake, the Philadelphia Union goaltender, admitted that the aesthetics of the game left a lot to be desired, but he was hopeful that it would get better as the team progresses and plays together more.

“The football part of it can be better and the guys know that. But it's a tournament and it's the first game, so we all know that it can only get better from here and we hope to build on it going forward.”

Lawrence also chimed in with his explanation of the team's lukewarm performance in the first half, after a bright start.

“I wouldn't say anything went wrong, because for the first 15 minutes in the game we had possession and everyone was getting a feel of the ball, and they (Curacao) didn't get any clear looks at our goal.

“For us, we were just trying to find the right rhythm and the right poise and just trying to find the right way to go about the game. And when we went in at half-time, the coach helped us to settle down and gave us some directions,” he explained.

The team displayed more energy in the second half and Mattocks' entry appeared pivotal, as his runs in behind the defence created openings for the team which were sorely lacking in the first half.

Mattocks was announced as one of the two starting strikers along with Cory Burke, but they were on the wrong end of Head Coach Theodore Whitmore's ruthlessness when they were axed from the first eleven for arriving at the team's pre-game meeting late.

He took the disciplinary consequences in strides.

“That's the coach's decision and I wouldn't argue with that because, at the end of the day he makes all the decisions. But I know what I am capable of doing, and it showed yesterday,” Mattocks said.

“It was a very good first goal by Romario, but as soon as I came into the game the entire dynamics changed and it opened up for us, and we got a lot more chances.

“For my goal, it was a great combination from Jermaine (Taylor) with a long ball over the top, with a one-two between Kemar and Oniel (Fisher). And I think Kemar did a really good job of picking me out, and from there I know the ball would be in the back of the net — but it was a really good team performance,” he reiterated.

Mattocks, who scored in the semi-finals against the USA in helping Jamaica create a huge upset with its first victory — 2-1 over the US on US soil, as well the consolation goal in the 1-3 loss to Mexico in the final in 2015 — has now notched his third goal in as many games in the tournament.

“It's three from three dating back to 2015, but it is not just about me, it is about the entire team — and not just the guys who played, but those who didn't play as well, because we are going to need those guys to push the guys who played to be physically and mentally prepared,” he offered.

Individually, Blake was very good as well.

“As the captain for the team it is always good when you can lead by example, not just by your leadership qualities off the field. So that was great from my perspective to be able to make a few big saves, and to do my job to get a clean sheet, and to keep the guys in the game.

“I could not have done it by myself, it was definitely teamwork. And I must say kudos to all the guys who took part in the game, and the full roster that was here for the preparation.”

And though they are happy with bagging three points, the Boyz are fully cognisant of the fact that qualification to the quarter-finals has not yet been achieved, especially with the next game being against regional powerhouse Mexico at the mile-high Denver in Colorado.

“Tough game, always is a tough game based on past experience,” noted Lawrence.

“It is going to be a full stadium so that alone should give the guys a different edge. One thing I have to say is that the space that we gave Curacao we can't do that against Mexico, because these guys are precise with their passing and these guys don't just only come for the ball they like to run in behind the defence a lot. So as a team, we have to be more compact and leave less space in the middle of our pitch,” added the wily winger.

“Defensively right now, we need to keep that mindset of keeping a clean sheet, and I think from thereon it can only be positive things. It is a big challenge and I want to see us rise to that challenge and show what we have,” he ended.

Blake, though called upon to effect a few great saves, thought that the defence was solid enough for Curacao.

“The defensive shape was good. We limited them to few clear-cut chances, which is good and something we hope to build on for the next game against Mexico, who are a very good team, well organised. And we will have to be very good defensively; and with our pace we can catch them on the counter,” he stated.

“It's good that we start off with a clean sheet and the guys are feeling more confident now with the win, and now we just have to work on being disciplined for the next game,” the team captain said.