DESPITE a near-shock to minnows Dominica, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz Assistant Coach John Wall says the 3-2 result was not a true reflection of their performance in the Concacaf World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park on Sunday.

In what should have been a day remembered for some important milestones, it was the late flurry by the Dominicans that worried Jamaican supporters.

Shamar Nicholson, in his 49th appearance for Jamaica, found the back of the net in the 30th minute and converted a penalty in the 78th to bring his tally for the national senior men’s team to 19. He’s now tied with the iconic Walter “Blacka Pearl” Boyd for sixth on Jamaica’s all-time scorers’ list.

Rising sensation Kaheim Dixon also got on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal. He registered his second goal for the country and his first in a competitive match, becoming the first teenager to score for Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier in almost 30 years.

However, their comfortable three-goal lead was cut by two in the latter stages, with Javid George rounding goalkeeper Jahmali Waite to make it 3-1. Only five minutes later, Troy Jules’ stunning free kick at the edge of the 18-yard box made it 3-2.

But the Jamaicans held on in the end to register back-to-back wins in the second round of qualifying. Wall believes the team should have been more clinical but was pleased they overcame issues with the weather and the field.

“It was more based on the pitch, which leaves a lot [to be desired]. It’s a 120 metres depth and 75 metres wide. That’s a cricket pitch. That’s not up to standard. Overall, Dominica performed well within their means and counter-attacked with the two, three players they had upfront but, overall, we should have controlled the game much better and finished it off with the chances we had,” he said.

“It was more based on 80 minutes of a controlled game and 10 minutes of a less so. It’s always hard to play away with external factors [such] as the pitch, players coming back after a restart and everything, and there’s a short time between game one and two —same as Dominica. But three points, we cannot get more than that,” Wall added.

He praised Dominica for their late surge after their heavy defeat to Guatemala last week.

“It’s kind of a progress, and [we’ve] got to give credit for the bounce back mentality coming from a 6-0 game and coming into this game and shape up for the crowd. But, it’s way different and becomes a very undynamic game, but I’m biased and that’s the way I view it. But, overall, for Dominica to bounce back I have to give credit for that,” said Wall.

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio was not part of the squad after playing the full 90 minutes against the Dominican Republic at the National Stadium last Thursday.

Wall says the technical staff wasn’t willing to risk him for this encounter.

“He’s not injured, it’s more about managing his load coming back, and he’s not injured. He’s fully okay and we’re taking all aspects — considering the pitch and everything else — so we can monitor and make sure he’s fresh,” he said.

Happy with consecutive wins, Wall says their full attention is on their Copa America campaign which begins on June 22.

“The pre-planning has been done but, most of all, it’s going to be a break for now until we get to Copa. Obviously the squad will be presented this week so for us to take everything into account — looking at the big picture and where we’re heading into — but, overall, it’s looking at details again and camp starts the 16th,” he said.

Despite a perfect record Jamaica sit second in Group E of second-round qualifying on six points with a plus two goal difference as Guatemala, also on six points, lead with a plus nine goal difference after their 3-0 win over the British Virgin Islands on Saturday.

World Cup qualifying resumes in June 2025 when Jamaica take on British Virgin Islands on the seventh and Guatemala on the 10th. Only two teams will advance to the final round from which three teams can be guaranteed a spot in the 2026 showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.