ALTHOUGH admitting they were not at their best, Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren has hailed his team’s mental toughness after their important 2-0 win against hosts Nicaragua in the Concacaf Nations League A at Estadio Nacional de Fútbol on Thursday.

An own goal from Josue Quijano in the 32nd minute and a tap-in from Romario Williams in the 69th gave the Jamaicans victory and put them in command of Group B with seven points, with a game to go.

For the national senior men’s team, it’s their first time in history winning consecutive games in Central America, and they’ve now gone unbeaten in nine straight away games in the group stage of the Nations League.

McClaren was happy to keep his three-game-unbeaten start alive, despite a difficult matchup against Nicaragua.

“We watched the last five games with Nicaragua so we knew everything about them. Doesn’t matter what happened years ago; this is a tough place to come, hostile environment,” he said.

“I’m basically learning about Concacaf; it’s so different. The [atmosphere at the] Honduras game, the atmosphere here, fantastic crowd. Tough games; there is not an easy game in Concacaf so we’re delighted with the result and delighted to come away from here with three points.”

The 30-year-old Williams was initially not expected to be in the squad but, due to Shamar Nicholson’s unavailability, he was given the nod. He played the full 90 minutes while scoring his fourth goal in his 20th appearance. The goal was also Jamaica’s 60th since the inception of the Nations League.

Despite having less possession and only managing three shots on target, Williams says the team did what was necessary to come away with the win.

Jamaica’s Demarai Gray dribbles during the Concacaf Nations League match against Nicaragua at Estadio Nacional de Futbol in Managua on Thursday. Photo: JFF

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz celebrate scoring against Nicaragua during the Concacaf Nations League match at Estadio Nacional de Futbol in Managua on Thursday. (JFF)

“I thought it was a professional performance. Obviously coming into a tough environment we knew what was at stake, obviously, with the points. We just wanted to come out here and get a positive result — knowing we have another game at home in a couple days against Honduras — so it wasn’t our best performance, but we got the three points and that’s all that matters.”

McClaren also believes the players deserve credit for overcoming challenges with the playing surface and the officiating.

“I thought it was a difficult game to referee because I think the surface causes a lot of small fouls, accidental fouls that look worse than they possible are. I didn’t think we got the fair share of the decisions but, we had to live with that,” he said.

“It’s one of the things we said before the game: The players’ and coach’s emotional control was important, and we demonstrated — I think in the second half — tremendous emotional control despite the tournament, the field, everything. The spirit of the team was good,” he said.

The team arrived at Norman Manley International Airport on Friday and is scheduled to train on Sunday.

The Reggae Boyz only need a draw against Honduras on Monday at the National Stadium to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Nations League A in November.

However, a defeat could prove costly as Honduras would overtake them for the top spot in nine points; and Nicaragua, on four points, could also take the second automatic spot with victory over French Guiana on Monday.

MCCLAREN… it wasn’t our best performance, but we got the three points and that’s all that matters (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz huddle ahead of action against Nicaragua in the Concacaf Nations League at Estadio Nacional de Futbol in Managua on Thursday. (Photo: JFF)

Jamaica’s Tayvon Gray (left) and Nicaragua’s Oscar Acevedo vie for the ball during the Concacaf Nations League match at Estadio Nacional de Futbol in Managua on Thursday. (Photo: JFF)