BY HOWARD WALKER Observer senior reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
ASSISTANT coach Lenworth Hyde says Jamaica’s Young Reggae Boyz will have to “wheel and come again” after their disappointing 0-1 defeat to Guatemala in their CONCACAF Under-20 Championship match on Sunday.
Jamaica are currently fourth in Group A with one point from two games after drawing 2-2 with Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) following a last-minute goal last Friday for a share of the points.
Panama lead the group with six points ahead of Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala on four. The United States of America are on one point with Aruba point-less.
“I think we played more fluid, but we have a problem. We are not starting the games well. Most of our games are played in the second half and it is something that we will have to try and correct before the end of this tournament,” said Hyde.
“I think the reserves that came onto the field brought a little life in the team. It was more composed, we put down the ball and moved the ball around. We created some opportunities but that’s how it goes. We just have to wheel and come again and be ready for the next game,” said Hyde, head coach Theodore Whitmore’s assistant.
Jamaica started without the injured Michael Seaton, who is nursing a knee injury and he was badly missed upfront as he was replaced by Donja Smith.
The Young Reggae Boyz once again played poorly, especially in the first half when they conceded a 27th minute goal by Stheven Robles. The midfielder latched onto a through ball from Mauro Portillo, flicked the ball over the head of Malcolm Stewart and kicked past Nicholas Nelson in goal.
Jamaica should have fallen farther behind, but Nelson saved a penalty from Portillo in the 52nd minute and later in 63rd minute he would miraculously block a point-blank header from Mario Hernandez to keep Jamaica in the game.
But Jamaica failed to repeat their late heroics as they did in the previous game.
“We are very disappointed. We are playing at home and we wanted to win the game. But it’s not over yet. We just spoke to the players and told them to keep calm. I think they played well and it’s not over. We have three games to go so we will just have to try and keep them motivated and forget about this one and look on the positives out of this game,” said Hyde.
Meanwhile, Guatemala’s Argentine coach Albert Ruiz, praised his boys following a disciplined approach in securing three valuable points.
“The guys did really well. They came into the game thinking that it was going to be a hard game. Jamaica has very fast players and they are very strong, so physically they knew they couldn’t manage,” Ruiz pointed out.
Jamaica will now turn their attention to Panama tomorrow, while Guatemala take on Trinidad and Tobago. The US will tackle Aruba.
Teams:
Jamaica — Nicholas Nelson, Javaun Waugh (John Luca Levee 55th), Malcolm Stewart, Roberto Johnson, Shaquille Dyer, Allando Brown, Khallil Stewart, Junior Flemmings, Cardel Benbow (Martin Davis 73rd), Daniel Roberts (Shamar Nicholson 55th), Donja Smith.
Subs not used: Dane Chambers, Joel Cunningham, I’ishmale Currie, Rennico Clarke.
Booked: Smith (71st).
Guatemala: Nicholas Hagen, Kevin Grijalva, Cristian Jimenez, Christopher Ortiz (Mario Hernandez 30th), Kevin Bordon (Pablo Aguilar 60th), Mauro Portillo, Stheven Robles (Diego Alvarez 70th), Jose Ruiz Rumph, Carlos Estrada, Julio Ortiz, Mauricio Maltes.
Subs not used: Allen Yanes, Nicolas Samayoa, Luis De Leon, Diego Alvarez, Julio Ochoa, Pablo Aguilar, Benedicto Aldana, Jose Morales.
Booked: None
Referee: Marlon Mejia (El Salvador)
Assistant referees: Geovany Garcia (El Salvador), Philippe Briere (Canada)
Fourth Official: David Gantar (Canada)
Match Commissary: Hillaren Frederick (US Virgin Islands)
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Hyde laments Under-20 Boyz" poor first-half display
