Despite the Reggae Boyz needing a stoppage time penalty to beat Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, Head Coach Steve McClaren says he was very impressed with the team’s performance especially given their less-than-ideal preparation time.

The national senior men’s team got the better of the Trinidadians 3-2 at the Gtech Community Stadium in London to advance to the final of the Unity Cup.

The Jamaicans looked set to register a comfortable win after taking a two-goal lead, thanks to a cool penalty converted by Kasey Palmer in the 25th minute and an acrobatic finish from English-born debutant Rumarn Burell in the 53rd minute. However, a minute after Burrell’s strike, Trinidad pulled one back through Isaiah Leacock before Kevin Molino equalised in the 69th minute.

With the game set for a penalty shootout, Renaldo Cephas won a penalty for the Reggae Boyz in stoppage time which defender Richard King smashed home for the win.

McClaren praised the players’ resilience after facing several challenges prior to kick-off.

“It was always going to be a difficult game for the full 90 minutes because one [day’s worth of] preparation wasn’t ideal,” he said. “People flying over, jetlagged, most of the players not playing for three weeks, so they’ve done remarkably well to come away with a victory.

“I think the key was the reaction after 2-2. They were a little bit stunned and didn’t see it coming but the reaction from the team was excellent. They never panicked, never lost their focus and carried on playing. I was very pleased in that respect because it showed maturity and belief.”

McClaren handed a debut to goalscorer Burrell, who netted 11 goals in 30 games for English league One club Burton Albion.

He says the 24-year-old made a great first impression and has much to offer in the future.

“I’m personally just delighted for Burrell,” McClaren said. “Plucked from nowhere, playing for Burton, scoring goals, bit of an unknown. He’s come here, he’s been quiet, it must have been a huge game for him and his family and what a debut to score.

“That goal that he got is what we saw in him, he’s always in the six yard box. When a cross comes in or it’s bouncing around, he’s always in the six-yard box and that’s a real strength for a number nine.”

Jamaica’s next game is the final on Saturday, against either Nigeria or Ghana, who face off in the other semi-final this afternoon.

McClaren is hopeful that Jamaica will be better prepared for what is expected to be a tougher encounter.

“Our squad was 17 outfield players and three goalkeepers and we’re still three short and that showed as the game went further on,” he said. “We hope to get a couple that might come out to give us reinforcements for Saturday — Warner Brown being one of them and that would be a nice asset for us. Hopefully, we’ll recover. We have a couple of days to prepare and be in better shape for a tough game on Saturday.”

Jamaican midfielder Kasey Palmer (left) comes under a challenge from Cuba’s Danel Morejon during their Concacaf Nations League match at the National Stadium on Friday, September 6, 2024. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)