Two points lost, says Hallgrimsson
Published:Monday | June 26, 2023 | 12:42 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Reggae Boyz head coach Heimer Hallgrimsson says although a 1-1 draw was a satisfactory result against the United States (US) in their opening Group A Gold Cup match at the Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday night, on reflection he thinks it was two points lost.
The Reggae Boyz jumped into a 1-0 lead against the host country, courtesy of Damion Lowe’s 13th minute header from a Demarai Gray free kick.
They then had a penalty missed by Leon Bailey in the 29th minute.
The home team equalised two minutes from the end of regular time when Dexter Lembikisa failed to properly clear a cross into the box and Brandon Vasquez steered home the loose ball from 12 yards.
At the post match press conference Hallgrimsson said the most important thing was not to lose, but based on how the game unfolded he believes they should have walked away with all three points.
“Looking at it after the match it’s two lost points. You feel that way when you have the victory. But we cannot complain. We said before the match that the point would be a good result for us.
“The first game in a competition like this it is important that you don’t lose because then the second match will be a do-or-die match. But the feeling is two lost points now. I think we could have and should have (won) but a draw is a fair result,” he commented.
The Jamaicans were able to contain the US for most of the game and appeared as if they would have seen it through to the end until Lembikisa failed to adjust to Jesus Ferreira’s cross and Vasquez made no mistake from the rebound.
Solid defensive display
Despite giving up the late goal, Hallgrimsson thought it was a solid defensive display by the Boyz and he expects the team to get better as the tournament progresses.
“I have to give the US credit. There was a lot of energy in their team and I think that is where they had the upper hand.
“They are in season and they are a young energetic team, a lot of our players are coming from a break, so I knew this game would be tricky.
“We started the game really well. We created some good chances and scored a goal early. Got a penalty and with 2-0, the game would have been totally different. But instead there was this one goal that you start slowly to protect.
“In the second half we were more like a unit. We defended together with better movements in defence,” he said.
“I knew to have USA in the first game was always going to be tricky but I know we will grow as we progress in the competition.”
The Reggae Boyz will face Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago in their second game on Wednesday and will be gunning for revenge after suffering a 1-0 aggregate defeat in a recent two-match friendly series, and Hallgrimsson is expecting improvements.
“We will learn from this game. Both as a team and fitness-wise, I think we will grow as the tournament progresses.
“We are just here to try and do our best and improve and we are going to (continue to) improve until 2026 (World Cup),” the Reggae Boyz head coach said.