Boyz have to find a way to win home games, says captain Blake
Published:Saturday | October 19, 2024 | 12:08 AM
For more than a year, Reggae Boyz fans have not experienced much joy when watching the national football team at home. In the last eight matches at the National Stadium, the Boyz have only won twice, against Dominican Republic and Honduras, in comparison to their away form which has seen them win seven of their last 11 games on the road.
In their last home game, a Concacaf Nations League game against Honduras at the National Stadium, the Boyz again failed to get a win.
Goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake notes the importance of winning at home and said they must find a way to start getting wins when they play home matches.
“We have to figure it out. It’s our home and we have to find a way to win these games. Hopefully we can figure that out sooner than later,” Blake said.
He said the fact that they only needed a point from the last game against Honduras could have indirectly influenced the way they executed on the night, as they played out a 0-0 draw.
However, with World Cup qualifiers coming up next year, Blake said they need to get it right.
“For me, especially at home, we have to find ways to win and start scoring goals, because the World Cup qualifiers are coming up and we are going to need to win home games. I want to win every game but, unfortunately, tonight (against Honduras) we didn’t score and, if you don’t score, you can’t win,” he continued.
He pointed out also that some of the English-based players still have not gotten used to either the atmosphere in the National Stadium or the playing surface.
“It’s not easy to play here, especially for the players who weren’t born here. And the pitch is not the best and some players are not used to it, so it’s difficult.
“The pitch is not the best but we can’t use that as an excuse. Both teams are playing on it. And that’s why I said we are going to have to figure out a way, find ways, whatever it takes, to win these games, because it’s our home,” he said.
He asked fans to be patient, as they are all working as hard as they can to give them the results they deserve.
“I know they (fans) want us to win. They deserve the wins, as they have come out to support us. They probably don’t want to hear this but I am going to ask them to be patient with us, as sooner or later we will turn it around,” Blake said.