Job to be done

JAMAICA’S REGGAE Boyz go into their Concacaf Nations League semifinal against the United States today at the AT&T stadium in Texas, without their four most prominent attacking players.

As a result, coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is hoping their replacements can step up and grab the opportunity with both hands.

The Reggae Boyz were already without Leon Bailey, who was suspended for missing team curfew, and Demarai Gray and Shamar Nicholson because of yellow card suspensions.

Then on Wednesday, the team learnt that West Ham striker Michail Antonio would be unavailable as well after picking up a shoulder injury in his club’s 1-1 draw with Bailey’s Aston Villa on the weekend.

When it rains it pours

Hallgrimsson lamented the absence of the team’s most experienced attacking players but insists it’s a chance for others to stake their claim.

“Sometimes when it rains it pours, as in our case,” Hallgrimsson said in reference to Antonio joining the string of unavailable options.

“He got injured against Aston Villa. We were hoping he would be okay but it looks like he will not. So we are just waiting on the confirmation to see if he is ready for the second game.

“But more than likely he will not be ready for our first game,” he noted.

Hallgrimsson has called on seasoned international, Romario Williams to replace Antonio. While Renaldo Cephas gets a rare competitive call-up along with schoolboy Kaheim Dixon.

Although Hallgrimsson admits that not having the unavailable players will make a difference to the team, he said the focus is on getting the best out of the available players.

“I am like all coaches. I want to have my best players on the pitch whenever that is possible.

“Of course, it changes the way you look at the game but we don’t want to talk much about the players who cannot play for us. We like to focus on those who are here and give them the support they need.

“That is the focus of the coach. We don’t want to spend much energy talking about the players who are not here,” he said.

“But what it does is give other players an opportunity and some have been waiting for some time to step up to the big stage. Hopefully, they will take that opportunity and use it well tomorrow [today].”

He added that although their training time has not been ideal, they have made the best of their circumstances and are prepared for what should be a tough semifinal match against the hosts.

“It has only been two days (training) and in Concacaf, players normally miss the first day of training. Monday we had 12 to 13 players at the training session, and there are limited things we can do.

“So yesterday [Tuesday], and today [Wednesday] were the only real preparation days. But all the facilities are top class and that helps us a lot when preparing.

“We have tried to do what we can in the two days to prepare the team for such an important, but also difficult, match against the US.”

USA coach Gregg Berhalter said the Reggae are experienced and mentally tough and will be difficult opponents but said they are ready for the challenge.

“They have very good defensive organisation, their ability to counterattack and their ability on set-pieces. But the most important thing it’s a resilient team.

“They lost (Nations League quarterfinal first leg) in Jamaica to Canada and had to go to Canada to get the victory, and they went down in the game and were still able to come back and win.

“So it’s a very strong team, mentality. It shows the group has been through tough tournaments before. They have a very experienced coach and an organised team. So for us, it’s going to be a difficult match but we are excited because difficult matches help us grow,” he stated.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com