Devon DickNATIONAL TECHNICAL Director of the Reggae Boyz, Carl Brown should be commended for the two excellent performances against Uruguay and Honduras. After years of missed scoring chances, to get four goals in two games against quality opposition is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Significantly, most of the goal-scoring was done by home-grown players, which shows that there is a lot of talent in Jamaica. And to gild the lily the goals were world-class goals. This augurs well for the road toward qualification for the World Cup in Germany.
Another pleasing feature of the games was the manner in which the Reggae Boyz conducted themselves. The match against Uruguay was one of the best displays in terms of ball possession, movement off the ball, good positional play, good passing and intelligent play. It equals the game versus USA in Washington on the way to the historic first qualification to the World Cup in France.
The first half against Honduras was not at the same level but was still good enough to give hope that Jamaica can get one of the three qualification spots that is available to the region.
PLEASING FEATURE
One more pleasing feature of the games was the defensive player against key players. The team did a great job to mark out Forlan, The Uruguay and Manchester United player and Pavlon of Honduras. However, the speedy 'Tyson' of Honduras was too fast and clever and got the better of the defence.
However, there were some mistakes made by Coach Carl Brown in the Honduras match. After conceding two goals to Honduras he blamed injuries. The problem, I believe, has more to do with an inadequate bench rather than injuries.
The problem had less to do with injury and more to do with the reserve players. In fact, Coach Brown should have changed the team after the first half and leading by two goals and test out the chemistry of other players and the quality of the bench. In addition, the two goals from Honduras were not 'soft' goals but well executed goals. There is no disgrace in that.
Since the local boys did so well, I hope Coach Carl Brown will discontinue the process of using players who have never been to Jamaica to play. No player should play for Jamaica who has never been to Jamaica. In fact, there should be two other criteria. These players should also possess a Jamaican passport and also know at least one verse of the National Anthem.
The other disappointments were the behaviour of the fans in the Honduras game and the inadequate support by the media. After Honduras scored the first goal we went silent. Jamaicans need to remember that the better team will not always win. Over the weekend in England Portsmouth, in danger of relegation from the Premier League defeated the defending champions Manchester United! So when the Reggae Boyz team is down then the 12th player, the fans, should get vocal.
Carl Brown has done well but he needs more support from the media. The media can support the programme by highlighting weekly the achievements of the Reggae Boyz who perform well in England. The media needs to have an arrangement to show the goals scored in the English League and report on those matches.
The media need to support the sports programmes.
However, it was encouraging to see the support of the fans at the last two games. Equally important is the support of politicians and other leaders in the society.
The Rev Devon Dick s pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church.
