Home - The Star
October 18, 2013
Star Sport


 

Jamaica VS HONDURAS
GORDON WILLIAMS, STAR Writer

Jamaica, with no chance at a World Cup berth, wrapped up its qualifying campaign with a 2-2 draw against Honduras. Here's how the Reggae Boyz performed.

GOALKEEPER: Duwayne Kerr hesitated to contest a first-minute corner, leading to Honduras's opening goal from Carlo Costly. The second goal was a rocket free kick from Maynor Figueroa, which he couldn't catch up to. Kerr's use of the ball was generally poor. Rarely tested in the second half.

DEFENCE: Lapsed badly on the first Honduras goal, standing around as unmarked Costly scored. Tested early by the striker's strength and mobility.

Adrian Mariappa and Wes Morgan eventually settled down. However, fullbacks Demar Phillips and Lloyd Doyley came under pressure as Honduras attacked through the flanks. Phillips's miscommunication with Mariappa nearly led to another Honduras goal in the first half. Phillips also earned an unnecessary caution but produced a thunderous free kick that hit the crossbar.

Unit solidified in the second half, allowing Honduras attackers less space.

B

MIDFIELD: The trio of Rodolph Austin, Je-Vaughn Watson, and Jobi McAnuff didn't start as well as they did against the United States on Friday. Bad passes and ragged marking allowed Honduras early control of this area.

Ill-timed foul by Austin led to Figueroa's goal and a caution for the Jamaica captain. Watson made several timely tackles and again looked the Boyz's most inventive player. Improved Austin tested the Honduran goal from long range and later scored Jamaica's equalising penalty. Busier second half with tighter marking by this unit cooled off Honduras's passing game and led to better control in the second half.

c

FORWARDS: Darren Mattocks, Jermaine Anderson, and Deshorn Brown showed flashes of individual quality but lacked consistency early, a problem which plagued Jamaica throughout the first half.

Brown's decisive burst into the box led to Jamaica's first goal. Anderson's cracking shot forced a goalkeeper fumble and Honduras panic, leading to a handball and Jamaica's penalty. He became more aggressive as the game wore on, troubling Honduras with strength and pace. Produced brilliant second-half cross and added shots. Theo Robinson replaced Mattocks and Ryan Johnson subbed for Brown. Johnson laid off quality ball for Anderson late, but Robinson had little added impact.

C

Winfried Schäfer made one change to the starting team from the US game - Anderson replacing Johnson. But Jamaica was caught totally off-guard by Honduras's first goal. Jamaica's inconsistent early play must be traced to the coach. It's his job to get the team ready.

To Schäfer's credit, Jamaica improved in the second half. Marking was tighter, passing better. The Boyz also recorded their first multiple goal game in the hexagonal, dominating Honduras consistently late.

Puzzling omission of Jermaine Johnson. Embarrassing situation when he was asked to warm up the same time Ryan Johnson was being sent on as Jamaica's third and final substitute. What was Schäfer thinking?

B





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