Lowe’s suspension will force tactical shift – Whitmore
Published:Sunday | October 10, 2021 | 12:08 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
With centre back Damion Lowe joining the list of absent defenders ahead of Jamaica’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Canada today, Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore Whitmore has been forced to draw up a defensive reshuffle, as he calls for full focus against the dangerous visitors.
The Jamaicans go into their contest against the Canadians at the National Stadium at 5:00 p.m without Lowe, who is serving a one-match suspension because of an accumulation of yellow cards, after picking up consecutive bookings against Costa Rica and the United States, respectively.
Lowe’s suspension further increases the defensive problems for a team struggling to keep the ball out of their own net and who are already without Reading’s Liam Moore and Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock because of injury.
Jamaica have already conceded eight goals in four games so far in this campaign.
Whitmore, in his pre-match press conference yesterday, said that Lowe’s suspension will force a change in their tactical shape, with the possibility of a change from the four-man backline system that has been employed.
“Definitely, it will change how we will approach the game tomorrow (today) with Lowe being out. So definitely, you will see some tactical changes,” Whitmore said.
Cavalier defender Jamoi Topey was a late addition to the squad ahead of Thursday’s game against the United States and is one of the options that will be available to the coach. Topey along with Adrian Mariappa are the only two natural centre backs available for the Canada game.
TOUGH TASK
Whoever gets the job will have a tough task on their hands, as they will have to deal with a Canadian team, which has so far scored six goals in their four games – bettered only by the USA with seven - and who proved a handful for Mexico, who they held to a 1-1 draw inside the Azteca on Thursday.
Whitmore is well aware of the threats posed by the visitors, highlighting their transition play as a major threat for the Boyz, who he noted will have to remain focused throughout the contest in order to limit the Canadians’ opportunities going forward.
“I think it is their rotation (that makes them dangerous). They move a lot. It is important that we track players, it is important that we communicate how we pass and play. So the communication for us is going to be important for the game tomorrow (today),” Whitmore said.
Despite still being rooted to the bottom of the table with one point from four games, Whitmore was adamant that his team has the capabilities to get over this difficult hurdle.
“We are disappointed but all is not lost. Again, we are still focused, still remain resilient about the task at hand and we are moving forward,” Whitmore said.