Big Boyz don’t cry

In the aftermath of Jamaica’s 3-0 FIFA defeat to Panama in FIFA World Cup qualifying at the National Stadium last night, head coach Theodore Whitmore says that he is unfazed by the pressure despite back-to-back defeats to start their campaign.

First-half goals from Andrés Andrade and Rolando Blackburn as well as a strike from Cecilio Waterman punished the Reggae Boyz for their performance in the first international home game at the National Stadium in almost two years.

Whitmore was resolute in his commitment to the cause and was not bothered when asked about his job security.

“It’s the nature of the game,” he told The Gleaner. “[I] always give 110 per cent. Again, it’s left to the powers that be [regarding my job]. But as long as I’m here, I’m going to give 110 per cent. Nothing to fear, nothing to worry about. But it’s just the nature of the game.”

National goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake made his 50th appearance for the Reggae Boyz in a line-up that featured a large England-based contingent. West Ham striker Michail Antonio made his long-awaited debut for Jamaica as well as Rangers’ Kemar Roofe. Kemar Lawrence, Cory Burke, and Blake were the only players that kept their place in the line-up from the Mexico game on Thursday. But Antonio could not make an impact on the game as Jamaica started slowly and found the going tough.

Roofe managed to get open early but his shot went wide. But it was the only shot they would generate as Panama put them under pressure.

They succumbed to that pressure in the 14th minute as Ravel Morrison turned the ball over in his own half, and the onrushing Andrade managed to run through the field and his low drive beat Blake to put Jamaica behind. But Jamaica found it difficult to generate any meaningful attack to give the Panamanians problems. Jose Rodriguez threatened soon after, but his shot was saved by Blake.

Blackburn had got close to doubling the lead, but his header was comfortably saved. However, when he found space in the box again six minutes later, his header found the net to put the Jamaican in a deeper hole.

Whitmore introduced Devon Williams and Junior Flemmings at halftime, and Jamaica started the second period with more aggression, but while they got opportunities to roam in the opponents’ half, they could not penetrate the Panamanian defence.

Despite their game plan to not sit deep, Whitmore was frustrated with how they started the game and how they operated offensively despite small improvements in the second half.

“We allowed the Panamanians to play,” he said. “We conceded two first-half goals. It was downhill from there. After going down 2-0, it was an uphill task.”

Jamaica’s first shot on target came in the 74th minute when Burke was found by a chipped pass into the penalty area but was comfortably saved by Panamanian goalkeeper Luis Mejía.

Mejía was finally tested in the 75th minute when Shamar Nicholson, who came on as a second-half substitute, fired a shot from a tight angle to force a corner. It was the beginning of a late surge by Jamaica as Roofe had the best scoring chance for Jamaica when from a short corner, Daniel Johnson’s delivery found him, but his header was tipped over the bar by Mejía.

But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the eight minutes from the end as second-half substitute Waterman was put through on goal and calmly finished past Blake to extend the lead to three and secure the win.

Panama finished with nine shots, with six on target, while Jamaica had six shots with three on target, all coming in the second half.

Jamaica will next play Costa Rica on Wednesday.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com

Final Stats

Jamaica Panama

Shots 6 9

Shots on Goal 3 6

Possession 39% 61%

Pass Accuracy 74% 84%

Fouls 22 12

Yellow Cards 1 0

Red Cards 0 0

Jamaica: Andre Blake, Liam Moore, Ethan Pinnock, Kemar Lawrence, Wesley Harding (Alvas Powell 70), Daniel Johnson, Ravel Morrison (Devon Williams 46), Bobby Reid (Junior Flemmings 46), Cory Burke, Michail Antonio (Shamar Nicholson 70), Kemar Roofe

Referee: Ismael Cornejo (El Salvador)

Assitants: Geovany Garcia (El Salvador), Juan Francisco Zumba (El Salvador),

Fourth Official: Daneon Parchment (Jamaica)

Match Commissioner: Sharon O’Brien (Trinidad and Tobago)