Tuesday evening’s 4-0 loss to the world’s quantity one-ranked workforce, the USA, may need appeared like a foregone conclusion on paper.
However for Deon Burton, assistant head coach of the Reggae Girlz and a former Reggae Boy, it wasn’t the scoreline that stung — it was how the objectives have been conceded and what was left undone in transition.
“We knew it could be powerful”: A battle towards the perfect
Going through off beneath the lights at Energizer Park in St. Louis, the Reggae Girlz have been dealt a double blow in every half. Nineteen-year-old Ally Sendtor punished Jamaica with a scientific brace within the nineteenth and twenty eighth minutes, whereas substitute Lynn Biyendolo sealed the take care of strikes within the sixtieth and 88th.
But for Burton, the end result wasn’t as revealing as the main points between the strains.
“We knew it was going to be a tricky match, clearly, arising towards the number-one workforce on this planet,” Burton informed reporters after the sport. “However I believe the disappointing side was most likely how we conceded the objectives.”
Moments that would have been prevented
Burton meticulously broke down every aim — to not excuse the loss, however to spotlight alternatives missed in execution.
“The primary one, we labored on it — defending the again put up. A few gamers have been in the suitable positions, they only didn’t make first contact on the ball… and clearly, it dropped down and the participant scored,” he recounted.
He referred to as the second aim unlucky: “I believe it was a deflection — one other day that will get blocked.”
The third, although a results of an preliminary very good save by goalkeeper Liya Brooks, nonetheless discovered the again of the online due to poor follow-up defending. And the fourth, he admitted, was the one time the Individuals actually sliced open Jamaica’s form late within the sport.
Brooks shines within the shadows
Even in defeat, Burton praised goalkeeper Liya Brooks, who put in a spirited efficiency regardless of the scoreline.
“She had a superb sport,” he affirmed. “That third aim, she made an important save. We simply didn’t observe in — however her efficiency total was unbelievable.”
The true letdown: Missing braveness on the ball
Regardless of the defensive lapses, Burton saved his sharpest critique for the workforce’s incapacity to show protection into offense.
“I’m not too disillusioned with the defending,” he stated. “However what I’d have preferred a bit of bit higher was the transition. Once we did win the ball — might we’ve got been a bit of bit higher with our decision-making and our ultimate go?”
He emphasised a insecurity and assertiveness as soon as possession was gained.
“We defended very nicely at occasions and we simply wanted that little little bit of grit as soon as we gained the ball again — to push us up the pitch and get us a little bit of territory,” Burton mirrored.
Match statistics point out that the victors had 83 per cent possession of the ball to Jamaica’s 17 per cent which validates the previous Reggae Boy’s evaluation of the workforce’s incapacity to maintain possession of the ball.
A fatigue issue, however eyes on the longer term
The Reggae Girlz weren’t at full energy and had clearly spent each ounce of vitality on the sphere. Burton acknowledged that fatigue performed a major function, significantly with some top-tier gamers absent.
“Credit score to a few of the gamers — they have been out on their legs. They labored so exhausting on the market and that’s what it’s gonna take,” he stated. “If we are able to maintain that dedication and that tough work, it’s solely going to bode nicely for the longer term when it comes time for World Cup Qualifiers.”
Trying forward: England on the horizon
The subsequent take a look at for the Reggae Girlz comes on June 29, once they face England at King Energy Stadium. For Burton, the secret’s constructing on Tuesday’s defensive construction — however demanding extra bravery when the ball is theirs.
“Carrying on with the compact form within the mid-block and being very self-conscious about tips on how to defend… and might we be higher on the turnover?” he requested. “So issues to work on, however a number of positives to remove.”
