Jamaica's head coach Wendell Downswell said the secret to the Reggae Boyz' emphatic 5-0 win over French Guiana in Saturday's third-round Digicel Cup match at the National Stadium was due mainly to tactical discipline and proper preparation.

"I think what made the big difference... is the level of preparation coming into the match as in previous games we only had preparation in patches," Downswell said.
"We also played well tactically and got that early goal which sort of pushed them (opponents) back and then we consolidated... in the second half," he added.

Jamaica's Roland Dean (left) leaves a French Guiana player for dead during their Digicel Cup game at the National Stadium on Saturday. Jamaica won, 5-0. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Jamaica went to the dressing room with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a 13th-minute strike from Harbour View's inspirational midfieldfer Jermaine Hue. But a fired-up home side returned to add four more goals in a flurry, thus killing off their South American opponents.

"I think it was a quality performance especially in the second half," said Downswell, who took charge following the dismissal of Carl Brown after the recent failed World Cup campaign.

Downswell said the return of Preston North End's Omar Daley to the team lifted the midfield. He also had high praise for Tyrone Marshall, who missed the last game against St Lucia. Meanwhile, the Observer has learnt that Daley may not be available for the return-leg due to club commitment.

With the Boyz looking ahead to the second leg next Saturday, Downswell said he will be seeking "to consolidate" his five-goal cushion. Meanwhile French Guiana's team manager Alain Migdt said the game was a learning experience for his team.

"We came here really to learn because we know that Jamaica has a good team and play a high level of football," he said. The Boyz were in their element on Saturday. Jermaine Hue in particular, one of four Harbour View players to get on the scoresheet, was simply mercurial with his immaculate passing and deft dribbling.

His club teammates Damion Stewart (57th), Luton Shelton (62nd) and Robert Scarlett (75th) were also on target, while Village United substitute Teofore Bennett (83rd) capped a fine Jamaican performance.

The Boyz, following a flurry of attacks, went ahead when Shelton played a delightful ball between two defenders for Hue, whose left-footer gave goalkeeper air Karam no chance from 18 yards. The Jamaicans failed to add to their tally in the first half despite dominating the game and creating a number of chances.

Not to be outdone, French Guiana also came close through Daniel Pulval, who tested goakeeper Shawn Sawyers with a 25-yarder, which barely missed the frame. And again in the opening minutes of the second half, Guiana's David Martinon unleashed a lightening right-footer which barely missed the target.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Stewart had his header plucked out of the goal by Karam after a pinpoint corner from Hue. But eight minutes later, Stewart made amends with a diving header from a Scarlett corner to make it 2-0. The frolicking Boyz made it 3-0 shortly afterwards with a brilliant individual strike from Shelton, who powered his way down the right side to finish with an angled right-footer.

Like an Asian tsunami, the Boyz were unstoppable, adding to their tally when Hue's pass to the unmarked Scarlett saw the speedy flank defender kicking powerfully past the goalie from 30-yards.

Bennett, who was sent clear by skipper Andy Williams, slipped the ball between the goalie and the near post to end the rout.

Jamaica - Shawn Sawyers, Damion Stewart, Jermaine Taylor, Tyrone Marshall, Fabian Davis, Robert Scarlett (Garfield Reid 77th), Jermaine Hue (Keith Kelly 77th), Andy Williams, Omar Daley, Roland Dean (Teofore Bennett 63st) and Luton Shelton.
Booked: Daley (66th)

Subs not used: M Harrison, T Sawyers, L Murray, K Stephenson, D Ralph

French Guiana - Jair Karam, Jean-Felix Metella, Aime Golitin, Laurent Ringuet (Sylvester Laguerre 74th), David Martinon, Albert Ajaisso, Fabrice Torvic, Sylvio Breleur, Hans Cosset, Jean Niama (St Ange Golitin 68th)and Daniel Pulval (Oliver Golitin 61st).
Booked: Ajaisso (61st)

Subs not used: K Boecasse, S Laguerre, F Fraumar, J Koniki

Referee: Noel Bynoe (Trinidad)
Assistants: Dave Meikle and Ricardo Morgan (Jamaica)
Fourth Official: Peter Prendergast (Jamaica)
Match Commissary: Lionel Haven (Bahamas)

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