Hallgrimsson hails fighting Reggae Boyz

REGGAE BOYZ coach Heimir Hallgrimsson credits his players for the team’s miraculous second-half turnaround against Canada in their second-leg Concacaf Nations League quarter-final on Tuesday.

The Reggae Boyz came from 2-1 down from the first leg to draw 4-4 on aggregate at the BMO field in Ontario, to advance, on the away-goal rule, to the semi-finals and book their ticket in next year’s CONMEBOL Copa America tournament.

The Boyz played second fiddle to the home team in the first half, and needed three crucial saves from captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake in the first 15 minutes not to fall further behind in the tie.

The Canadians would still find themselves 3-1 up on aggregate, through Anthony Davies in the 25th minute.

However, Hallgrimsson made a significant tactical change by bringing central defender Damion Lowe into the defensive midfield for the second half.

The Philadelphia Union player sparked the team’s revival just past the hour mark after winning possession and playing in Shamar Nicholson, who slammed home the first of a brace on the night.

However, Hallgrimsson revealed during his post-match press conference that the revival started at half-time, that it was the players who decided they had nothing to lose and that it was all or nothing.

“There was nothing to lose,” Hallgrimsson told reporters.

“We needed two goals before starting the kick-off and we still needed two goals at least at half-time, and I have to give credit to the players because they rallied up at half-time. It was all or nothing and they went in with that attitude.

“It was their decision to go like this, gung-ho, and just press against them, and it worked. Sometimes it works, sometime it doesn’t. But today it worked, but it was all the players.”

He also praised Lowe for the dynamism and spirit he brought to the midfield, and credits him for an inspirational display on the night.

“A really good first tackle second half from Damion Lowe ignited the team. From that tackle, we played on the front foot and we were pretty brave, a little bit too open for my sake because Canada, of course, did punish us with a goal, but I must give all credit to the players, they were fantastic,” he stated.

After Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at the National Stadium, Jamaica’s goalscorer Nicholson insisted the team was mentally ready and confident going into the second leg, and Hallgrimsson said the former Boys’ Town forward’s emotional tantrum at the break was the fire that sparked the team back to life.

“It was very hard to talk to Shamar Nicholson at half-time, because he was talking so much to himself.

“He was rallying the players, giving them a push to be more brave, to go more forward, pressing higher.

“So, I give him a lot of credit for this game. I didn’t need to tell him anything. He motivated himself. Maybe too emotional (for me) but he did really well in the game, both on and off the pitch,” he said.

After Nicholson’s brace put the Boyz 2-1 up and tied the tie 2-2 on aggregate, Ismaël Kone restored Canada’s goal advantage with a 69th-minute header.

However, the Boyz were awarded a penalty following a handball in the area, and Bobby Reid converted expertly to put Jamaica ahead 3-2 on the night.

“He (Reid) has been on it when he gets the responsibility, and today (Tuesday) it was worth it to put this pressure on him. But, like every player today, I can give him a lot of credit.”

Canada interim coach Mauro Biello said the tactical change of bringing Lowe into midfield caught them off guard.

“Massive disappointment,” he said of the defeat.

“They made an adjustment with Lowe coming into the midfield. They were a little more aggressive.

“We were a little bit too casual, playing the ball out, and we lost easy balls. They took some momentum and were able to score and we weren’t able to get ourselves and climb out of that,” he commented.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com