Former Reggae Boyz support Hallgrimsson’s defensive changes
Published:Tuesday | June 25, 2024 | 12:08 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
THE TALK after the Reggae Boyz 1-0 defeat to Mexico has been that the Jamaicans deserved a point from the game and fingers have been pointed in the direction of the coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, because of two changes he made in the 68th minute.
The lone goal of the game came 10 minutes after Hallgrimsson brought on Damion Lowe for Demarai Gray, and Michael Hector for Di’Shon Bernard.
“Based on how the game was going, I think he analysed and recognised the amount of defending the team had already done. No one recognised the positive change when Kaheim Dixon came on the field and the amount of energy he brought. Coaching is subjective and sometimes the decisions go in your favour and sometimes it doesn’t,” said former Reggae Boy Richard Edwards.
According to Edwards, there were more positives than negatives coming out of the loss to Mexico.
“I think we played well defensively. We were organised and you could see that there was a clear indication of solid preparation. We created about three opportunities that we should have capitalised on and playing against Mexico, you have to turn half chances into full chances,” he said.
The Reggae Boyz last victory against ‘El Tri’was a one-nil win in July 2017 during an international friendly.
Edwards, who represented the Reggae Boyz on 36 occasions, believes there’s a mental hurdle that the team needs to clear.
“I think there’s a psychological impact whenever we play certain teams, including Mexico. There is a mental block and once we continue to grow and build on how want to play from a structural standpoint, eventually we will break it.”
Former Reggae Boy goalkeeper Ryan Thompson agreed with Edwards, saying defensively, the Reggae Boyz looked the part throughout the encounter.
“The team went out, played to the game plan and they looked very organised defensively. The team was hard to break down and that itself is a win. Over the years, we haven’t had a team that looked that well organised. The only disappointing thing is that we didn’t keep possession of the ball longer,” said Thompson.
Thompson, who is an assistant coach at Austin Bold FC, was also in favour of Hallgrimsson’s defensive substitutions.
“I felt like they were getting tired because we were defending for 90 per cent of the game. I could see why the coach wanted to put on more defenders just to have fresher legs on the field. A lot of Jamaicans need to stop focusing on what the team isn’t doing and support the team in the stands. The team played well but needed that extra energy from the supporters,” said Thompson.