GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer

MONTEGO BAY, St James:

Winfried Schäfer looked spent and slightly agitated shortly after Jamaica's 1-1 draw with Martinique to kick off the Reggae Boyz' CFU Caribbean Cup campaign on Wednesday night.

His voice was low and raspy. Face drawn. Early into a post-match press conference, Schäfer was barely audible. The microphone as distant as the stare in his eyes.

The head coach clearly wasn't happy Jamaica had stumbled out of the gate in what is a crucial tournament for the Boyz and his own future at the helm.

Yet Schäfer didn't really want to talk about the suspicious tournament absence of key players - defenders Wes Morgan and Adrian Mariappa among them. Nor did he wish to rehash horrors of Jamaica's game, including missed scoring chances, hints of selfishness, spotty concentration and glaring technical and tactical weaknesses. But the coach couldn't sidestep the obvious.

"We have to play better," said Schäfer.

His captain agreed, generous enough to excuse Schäfer from growing impatience with the coach's performance, underlined by sporadic boos and taunts from restless fans at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

Jamaica needs urgent repairs. On Wednesday, the team was mostly disjointed. Some players were too eager to dribble or shoot, while others wanted to pass. Some preferred short passes. Others chose long. Mostly, they squandered opportunities.

Schäfer vowed to scrutinise video of the game with his team and make adjustments before 113th ranked Jamaica faces what should be a tougher opponent in 70th rated Antigua and Barbuda today.

Martinique proved that although Jamaica's chance to advance to the semi-finals and an automatic CONCACAF Gold Cup berth is still alive, it's no better than its three Pool B rivals following A&B and Haiti's 2-2 draw.

long range shots

Yet striker Darren Mattocks scored a clinical goal to give Jamaica a lead. Jamaica, however, wasted it with a defensive lapse - a "stupid goal against us," according to Schäfer.

A ramped up second half effort produced Jamaica's best patches. Austin's thunderous long range shots - one crashing off the chest of Martinique's goalkeeper Kevin Olimpa, another forcing him to punch away in near self defence - were glimpses of promise. Jobi McAnuff's efforts to collar the game as a playmaker and Jermaine Taylor's steady influence at the back offered others.

It's clear Jamaica can claim a top two group spot. The Boyz must regroup quickly. But, based on the Martinique match, a similar fate to two years ago, when Jamaica was eliminated early, is not remote - even with home field advantage. A&B and Haiti are equipped and hungry.

"To be honest," said Martinique's Julien Faubert. "I don't see the difference."

Personnel changes appear imminent. Schäfer believes he has "enough players." He'll need them. Alvas Powell's injured leg led to his substitution. If he cannot start today, Je-Vaughn Watson, off-colour in midfield Wednesday, could slot into right back, where he often plays at his Major League Soccer club. Hughan Gray didn't do himself any favours replacing Powell there.

Opportunities could open for Joel Grant and Simon Dawkins, two midfielders who showed quality and no fear against tougher opponents this summer. Local-based attackers Romario Campbell and Craig Foster are also available.

Meanwhile, Deshorn Brown, Dane Richards and Jamar Loza, attacking options on Wednesday, aren't certain starters. Central defender Nyron Nosworthy was exposed for pace, but, with Mariappa and Morgan missing, he may get another opportunity.

Jamaica's keys today, however, must be effort, patience and discipline.

"We have to work very hard, concentrate," admitted Schaefer. "We have to learn."

Caribbean teams don't fear Jamaica. Martinique proved reputation and home field mean nothing.

"You can't lose the game before you play," said Faubert.