With qualification to the quarter-finals on the road, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz face a second of fact of their remaining Group C encounter of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, as they tackle group leaders Panama at Q2 Stadium Tuesday at 6:00pm Jamaica time (7:00pm ET).
Jamaica, tied with Guatemala on three factors however trailing Panama who boast an ideal six factors from two matches, should safe all three factors to afford themselves a better probability of secure passage to the knockout section. The rest would go away the Boyz’ destiny hanging on a beneficial consequence within the different recreation — or seemingly doomed to an early exit ought to Guatemala defeat Guadeloupe in a simultaneous kickoff at Shell Vitality Stadium in Houston.
McClaren unyielding: “We got here to win, to not experiment”
Head Coach Steve McClaren, going through intense scrutiny for the crew’s inconsistent performances, made his intentions unequivocally clear throughout Monday’s pre-match press convention: Tuesday night time is about enterprise, not trials.
“This is a crucial event and we wish to win tomorrow,” McClaren declared. “So I’ll put a crew on the market that I believe will win the sport.”
The Englishman acknowledged his ongoing seek for chemistry inside the squad, following months of rotation throughout Nations League, World Cup qualifiers, and now the Gold Cup, however dominated out any additional tinkering at this important stage.
“We’ve been months in camp… however we come to the Gold Cup to win soccer matches, to not experiment,” he emphasised.
Early execution key to success
Having seen his facet blow cold and hot — from a 0-1 loss to Guatemala to a nervy 2-1 comeback win towards Guadeloupe — McClaren harassed the significance of focus and tactical consciousness, particularly within the opening minutes.
“The primary 20 minutes of any recreation is an important, in each halves,” he defined. “It is necessary that we all know what’s going on with the opponent. So if there’s something, we will regulate or transfer.”
The Boyz’ incapacity to take care of construction throughout each halves has been their Achilles’ heel, a vulnerability they can’t afford towards a disciplined and in-form Panama facet that has scored seven targets in two matches, together with a 5-2 hammering of Guadeloupe.
Michail Antonio: “We can not disappoint our nation”
Returning striker Michail Antonio echoed his coach’s urgency. The West Ham United ahead, who has labored his means again to health after a critical automobile crash final December, has had substitute appearances in each video games to date.
“Clearly, the standard that we’ve got and what we’ve achieved over the previous few years within the Gold Cup — attending to the semi-finals — it will be disappointing to not get there now,” Antonio acknowledged.
“So once we exit tomorrow, it’s not only for us. It’s for our followers, our households, and our nation. We should be certain that issues are achieved proper. Panama is an efficient crew. However so are we.”
Quarter-final equation: All or nothing
Panama wants solely a draw to safe prime spot within the group and will afford to rotate, however coach Thomas Christiansen has constructed a facet identified for consistency and cohesion — attributes Jamaica might want to match from the primary whistle.
Elsewhere, Guatemala will face Guadeloupe at Shell Vitality Stadium on the similar time, hoping to capitalize on any Jamaican slip-up. For McClaren’s males, the equation is straightforward: win and also you’re nearly by means of.
Ought to Jamaica fall brief, it will mark their first group stage exit since 2009, a pointy distinction to a run that noticed them attain the semi-finals or higher in 4 of the final 5 tournaments.
