CATHERINE HALL, St James — Jamaica’s Head Coach Steve McClaren and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Dwight Yorke each mentioned they had been happy with their groups’ efficiency in Thursday’s pleasant worldwide at Montego Bay Sports activities Complicated.
Jamaica received the sport 1-0 as Sue-Lae McCalla scored deep within the second half to register his first worldwide purpose in his fourth look for the nationwide staff. The win was the primary for the Reggae Boyz towards Trinidad and Tobago on Jamaican soil in 10 years.
“I assumed they acquired stronger and stronger as the sport went on,” famous a hoarse-sounding McClaren who mentioned he “misplaced” his voice over two laborious days of coaching.
“I believe within the first half we had been a bit uncertain, a bit passive fairly than being aggressive, however I believe within the second half, one or two issues, we modified, and we grew to become extra aggressive, and we talked about folks approaching, making a distinction,” he added concerning the recreation which featured largely regionally based mostly gamers on either side.
“In each efficiency you want a platform, you want a rock, and we had that tonight,” he mentioned “We had that with Jamali [Waite] in purpose, [Richard] King, [Fitzroy] Cummings and [McCalla] — that diamond was so sturdy down the center. I by no means thought we’d concede — as a result of they dominated — and that’s essential to get that platform.
“I assumed the subs who got here on actually sort of modified the sport, they gave us vitality as soon as we labored out that it was a fall again recreation. We needed to change the play, and we grew to become extra optimistic in our urgent. I believe we deserved to win, and the way in which that labored as nicely — not simply not simply ahead, however again — was a credit score,” he defined.
Former Trinidad and Tobago striker Yorke, who was named head coach of the nationwide staff late final yr, was typically happy with the Soca Warriors’ efficiency.
“I assumed it was an excellent recreation and I anticipated it to be aggressive, which it was — once more, one other alternative to see how shut we’re. Jamaica is clearly forward of us within the rating. Our goal was to attempt to match them to see how far the hole is between the 2 groups, and we’re pretty assured by way of the [display throughout] the sport, though the outcome [didn’t] go our approach.
“However I assumed it was a reasonably first rate recreation from each units of groups, and it was fulfilling to observe though, you understand, we didn’t win the sport… I assumed we we had some actually good moments within the recreation as nicely,” the Trinidad and Tobago coach mentioned.
It was Jamaica’s first victory at dwelling since June 6, 2024 after they acquired the higher of Dominican Republic in a World Cup Qualifier.
On Thursday, eight Jamaicans made their first appearances for the senior nationwide staff. 4 of these had been within the beginning 11 whereas one other 5 gamers had been being recalled to the squad.
Jamaica had many of the scoring probabilities within the contest. Jamaica Premier League prime scorer Warner Brown, considered one of 4 debutants named within the beginning staff, had two pictures saved within the first half.
Trinidad and Tobago had an excellent likelihood late within the first half when a cross from the left wing sailed throughout the face of the Jamaican purpose, however nobody acquired on the top of it. Early within the second half the guests had one other alternative when substitute Brent Sam headed a ball over the crossbar from shut vary.
Jamaica got here near opening the scoring within the 71st minute when a cross from Kyle Ming beat two onrushing Reggae Boyz. Simply over 10 minutes later, McCalla was nicely positioned to make full use of a flicked cross from Shaniel Thomas to provide the Boyz the win.
After the sport McCalla basked in scoring his first worldwide purpose.
“[It is] an amazing feeling, you understand, to get the primary purpose for the nation. You understand, the group [offered] a whole lot of assist tonight so, you understand, it’s an ideal feeling to know that the folks got here out and loved themselves.”
With an enormous squad at his disposal and a brief turnaround between Thursday and the second contest within the two-game pleasant collection at Anthony Spaulding Sports activities Complicated in St Andrew on Sunday, McClaren mentioned he’ll rotate gamers.
“We glance to Sunday and we’ll need to make some modifications. We’ve got to make use of all of the squad, which we did tonight. We had no hesitation within the modifications, and so they made an actual distinction, however the stable basis that we had was the 2 centre backs and Sue-lae, and so they actually dominated and allowed us to progress and play,” mentioned the Jamaica coach.
