While acknowledging that the events that unfolded over the past few days did take a toll on their mental and physical bearings, stand-in Reggae Boyz Captain Damion Lowe and winger Junior Flemmings underlined the team’s determination to push past the off-field distractions as a major factor in their latest on-field success.

Having had their demand for Dalton Wint to resign from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary post met, the influential players both pointed out that the issue is now behind them and believe the 3-1 win over Suriname in their return-leg Concacaf Nations League Group A encounter on Tuesday, demonstrated just that.

“It’s a really good result; it’s been a rough couple of days for us. Not many players can go through what we did and come out and work hard. In the last game, we went on the field 20 minutes before the start and we still got a result,” said Lowe.

Though the lack of game preparation was evident in their sluggish start after they decided not to turn up for Monday’s training session due to Wint’s reluctance to relinquish his post at that point, the Boyz, through goals from Ravel Morrison (16th minute), Flemmings (43rd) and Jamal Lowe (69th), did enough to secure the three points.

Yanic Wildschut pulled one back for Suriname in the 21st minute.

In fact, the Boyz only decided to commit for the game after the embattled administrator indicated to the JFF board that he would step aside in an emergency meeting called by President Michael Ricketts late Monday.

Lowe and his teammates had demanded Wint’s removal after logistical issues relating to travel arrangements surrounding their first-leg game in Suriname, which ended 1-1.

“So it’s very difficult, people don’t really know what we go through in our everyday lives, but we try to come out and entertain the fans, work hard and show the country that we want better, we want to progress and we want to be a powerhouse again in Concacaf and I think today (Tuesday) shows that it’s a step in the right direction,” Lowe added.

“We don’t want to focus on off-the-field stuff anymore, that is done and dusted, this for us is a new era and a new beginning, so our main aim was to start it with a win and to God be the glory we got that win. So again, this for us is a step in the right direction and we just have to build on this positive,” he said.

“For us, it was about getting the job done on the field, entertain the crowd and push to try to get to top three in Concacaf and possibly back in the top 50 or top 30 in the world,” Lowe said

With the win, the Jamaicans, who are ranked 64th according to the Fifa rankings and sixth in Concacaf, moved atop the three-team League A group on four points, and have all but secured one of the two available spots to the next Concacaf Gold Cup.

They are set to tackle group favourites Mexico next Tuesday at the National Stadium.

“The guys were a bit rusty; we scored early, which was good, but we were slow on the ball and in our movements because we didn’t get much preparation for this, but the goal was to get the three points on the board and qualify for the Gold Cup and I think we have done that,” said Lowe.

Lowe also lauded interim Head Coach Paul Hall for his work and support to their cause. Hall had indicated to the JFF top brass that he would be resigning in what was a stand of solidarity with the Boyz during the impasse.

“I believe when players trust a coach, you will get anything out of them. We understand that he [Hall] is trying and we can see that he is making every effort on and off the field to ensure that we are fully focused and prepared,” said Lowe.

“So we just have to pay him back by giving our maximum efforts out there and get results. We have a week to prepare for Mexico when we will be more fresh and rested and so we are looking forward to that,” added Lowe, who explained that captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake’s absence was due to a slight illness.

Meanwhile, Flemmings, who scored in both legs, said the team’s bond off the field is also what showed on the field, with their focus centred on executing their duties.

“It (off-field distraction) did affect us because coming into these two games there were little or no preparation, but that’s behind us now. We had a talk as a team and we are looking forward to new beginnings,” Flemmings said.

“We got four points from these two games and so I think this is just the start. We just need to keep going and keep doing what we are doing. As I said all we want to do is focus on playing football so once we get going then nothing else matters,” Flemmings stated.

“The recovery now will be important, so we will try to focus on getting locked in on that for the Mexico game because we are at home and so we also hope that fans will again show their support and hopefully we can get three points. So let’s see what happens next week, but it will be a really good encounter,” he added.