SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Reggae Boyz head coach Winfried Schaefer has sought to put into context his statement at last Friday’s post-game press conference when he said he was satisfied with a point in his team’s 1-1 result against Costa Rica at home.

The German coach said the team went into the game with the intention to win, but after failing to secure a first-half lead and with the absences of key players and the less than ideal physical conditioning of at least four others, he was at peace to accept a point at the end.

“I said after the match that 1-1 is okay. Why? That was the first misunderstanding for the people. It was not the biggest problem, but I want to tell the Jamaican people and supporters what I meant.

“We played without Austin (Rodolph), Barnes (Giles) and McCleary (Garath). We had three players in the squad who were not 100 per cent ready like Williamson (Lee). He played very well for one hour. At half time he said ‘please coach only 10 more minutes because I can’t go anymore’. I discussed with the players what we would do when he comes out and it was suggested that we take Watson (Je-Vaughn) in the midfield and Simon Dawkins in the position of Watson (the support striker).

“Watson was very good in his position of a second striker, but he is not a midfielder like Williamson, where he can keep the ball and play very good passes, and it didn’t work. It was a bad idea from us and then we changed (and) we took Demar (Phillips) out. With him it was the same; he was out for about two matches with the flu, and after one hour his level went down and we had to change because we couldn’t play someone who is not 100 per cent… and they are one of the best counter-attacking teams in CONCACAF and the world.”

Schaefer explained that the squad doesn’t have any player at this time with the requisite high level to replace Williamson and Phillips, when they are replaced, thereby maintaining the pressure in the last half hour.

“We don’t have players on the bench with the same level at the moment. Mattocks (Darren) was the same. He was three weeks in Kingston and went to a new club Portland Timbers and played only for one half in one game. That was our problem, many players were not at a high level of fitness and if we don’t have other players, our team will suffer.

“Football is unpredictable and you need very intelligent players and when you are tired in the legs you become tired in the head, too. When you saw our team spirit and teamwork in this match I was very happy about it. That is what I want to tell the people; I cannot tell the people after the match bad things about my players because I need my players the next day. Everybody went on their limit and this offside goal brought back Costa Rica in the match, but it is okay, because the refereeing was good.”

The coach further explained that after the Watson move failed Jermaine Taylor was used in central midfield and Watson reverted to an attacking position, but now he knows a little bit more about his team, as regards Taylor’s ability to play in midfield.

“Taylor knows he can play in central midfield and now I know he can play there too. He is not nervous, he is calm and he can play good passes and he has a good eye. Maybe we need him as a midfielder tomorrow after one hour, I don’t know, but he knows and I know he can play this position,” said Shaefer.

The coach was quick to point out that he doesn’t need to justify his actions, but is doing so in order for the many Jamaican supporters to understand his thinking and decision-making. .

“I don’t want to justify myself, I don’t need to, but I want to tell the supporters it was fantastic to see so many of them. The stadium was full and it was the first time in Jamaica the stadium was full and everybody gave power for our team. The Jamaican people were the 12th man in the stadium and it was fantastic. I want to tell the people thank you, one love!”

— Ian Burnett