ALTHOUGH going in as heavy favourites, Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren says he was impressed with his team’s dominant performance against Bermuda on Friday as they began their quest to next year’s FIFA World Cup on a positive note.

The national senior men’s team registered a convincing 4-0 win against Bermuda in their first game of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifying final round at Bermuda’s National Stadium in Devonshire, Bermuda.

Jamaica were missing a number of stars including Leon Bailey and Captain Andre Blake, as well Demarai Gray and Ethan Pinnock who were last-minute withdrawals due to injury.

However, that didn’t hold the team back too much as goals from Damion Lowe, Renaldo Cephas, Kasey Palmer and the returning Shamar Nicholson led the Boyz to victory.

McClaren says he was pleased with the team’s mindset, despite believing the scoreline should have been bigger.

“I’ve watched many games from Bermuda and I said to the players — and they took it on board — ‘It’s not going to be an easy game,’ ” he said.

“We took our opportunities and chances with the quality [that we had]. We could have been better on the ball, we could have used the ball better, we could have kept it better, but on transitions we created about 19 chances, seven on target, and could have scored more.”

McClaren says he was satisfied with the team’s overall execution and says it’s a confidence boost ahead of their future games.

“I’m impressed with some of the new players coming in and all the players who had caps before and have come in,” he said. “It’s great to see the likes of Shamar getting a good goal; Damion Lowe coming in who hasn’t played much football, only lasted an hour, but got the goal. And credit to our delivery and set pieces, which we said from the beginning will be very important.

“We could and easily could have had more goals but we’ve got to be satisfied with four. Very professional performance; job done. Let’s recover, get back to Jamaica, and prepare for Tuesday.”

While five games remain, the national senior men’s team are top of Group B — a position that will ultimately give them automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Jamaica goalscorer Damion Lowe (left) tracks Bermuda’s Reggie Lambe during their Concacaf World Cup Qualifying match at the National Stadium in Devonshire, Bermuda, on Friday. Concacaf Media

They are expected to arrive in Kingston later today as they prepare for their second game against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday at the National Stadium.

England-born Bailey Cadamarteri was handed his debut up front and made an immediate impact.

The Sheffield Wednesday striker tested Bermuda keeper Dale Eve, who pushed his effort out for a corner within the first five minutes. However, it led to the opening goal as a scramble in the box saw stand-in Captain Lowe stab home from close range.

The Boyz would double their advantage 20 minutes later thanks to a good solo run from Renaldo Cephas who got by several defenders and slotted home from 10 yards out.

In the second half Jamaica needed a bit of time to settle after giving up a few opportunities to Bermuda, but midfielder Kasey Palmer would calm their nerves when a powerful run ended with a strike from 20 yards out which found the bottom corner.

The match provided little action thereafter but substitute Shamar Nicholson would score on his return to the team after heading home Ronaldo Barrett’s corner kick in the 90th minute.

Nicholson’s goal means he becomes just the sixth player in history to score 20 or more goals for the national senior men’s team. He’s now two shy of Paul Young and Andy Williams while four short of his former Head Coach Theodore Whitmore.

The win puts Jamaica first in Group B as Trinidad and Tobago played to a 0-0 draw with visitors Curacao in Port of Spain.

Jamaica defender Dexter Lembikisa (left) closes down Bermuda’s Deniche Hill. Concacaf Media