Reggae Boy Kemar Lawrence (right) looks to intercept a pass meant for Cuba's Hernandez Chricheell, during their friendly encounter last night at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. Jamaica won 3-0. - Paul Clarke

Paul Clarke, STAR Writer

Western Bureau

National head coach Winfried Schäfer gave a thumbs up for the Reggae Boyz overall performances in the two international friendly matches against Venezuela and Cuba, who they whipped 3-0 last night at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

"Against Venezuela we were very, very good," Schafer said.

"And tonight against Cuba we were also good, but we didn't concentrate for the full 90 minutes, but the goals came and we won, so that is good," he said.

Schäfer thinks the team is on the right track ahead of the Copa America tournament, but thinks there is still room for improvement. He, however, noted that he needs at least one more friendly to gauge the team's readiness.

"I hope for that tournament (Copa America) all the players will be fit and ready; but we need one more game before our first match against Uruguay," Schäfer told reporters.

Jamaica's Reggae Boy are riding a five-game winning streak, and the coach believes the players are just about understanding how he wants them to play.

Against the Cubans, it was evident. Quick passes from midfield to give the strikers a chance at goal.

In a game in which three of the goals came in the first half, two of which came as a result of corner kicks, the Reggae Boyz seem to have picked up where they left off against the Venezuelans last Friday with a sumptuous display of attacking football that simply stunned the Cubans into submission.

Romeo Parkes fired the Boyz into an early lead. The Cubans failed to clear a Rodolph Austin corner in the third minute it fell kindly for Parkes who made no mistake.

The second goal was well taken by defender Daniel Gordon. His powerful header off another Austin corner kick in the 4th minute.

A Darren Mattocks header put the Jamaicans up 3-0 in the 30th minute, as the striker completed a sweet move from Barnes down the Cuban right flank.

Giles Barnes has impressed the coaching staff and fans since joining the squad, and he once again had an outstanding game last night against Cuba.

Cuba coach, Walter Benitez said the two early goal surprised his team.

"The two goals, definitely the first one, surprised my players and we found it difficult to recover against a good Jamaica side," Benitez said.