Dear Editor,
It was almost as painful as it was joyful watching the Reggae Boyz mastermind their way to an exciting 2-1 victory over defending Copa America champions, Chile, on Friday night. It left me a bit bewildered as to how this team, that looked so ordinary away to Costa Rica in March, was able to defeat FIFA’s #3 ranked team in their own backyard.
Although it was a shock result, it does show that, on their day, the Reggae Boyz are able to mingle with and outdance the best of them. Unfortunately, such days are too far and few between.
Having performed valiantly in last summer’s Copa America and Gold Cup tournaments, much was expected from the Jamaican contingent in the early stages of the World Cup qualifiers. However, the hunger, desire, class and professionalism displayed on Friday have not been evident in the current qualifying campaign. It is quite right, then, to think that, had the Boyz played with the same poise and vigour against our Central American rivals, we would have been more comfortably placed heading into September’s fixtures.
The potential within this squad is evident. Last year’s Gold Cup achievement was no fluke. It was purely a reflection of what the team can accomplish when maximum effort is given. There is no reason this present crop of talent should be struggling against the likes of Nicaragua or be swerving recklessly off the Road to Russia. What we crave and expect is for this team to be consistent and rivalling the best in the region.
It is frustrating to witness a group that can be so good, underperform so much. No more Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It is time for the Reggae Boyz to rise up, stand and take their place. It is the hope of the nation that this victory will be used as a catalyst to achieve greater things in the Copa America Centenario and also, eventually, overcoming the odds on the Road to Russia.
If we can defeat Chile then we can definitely compete with anyone, as long as we play at our best. Let us strive to play as well as we can as often as we can. There is much greatness in this team. All the best Reggae Boyz! Win from within.
Sunil Reid
sunil.b.reid@hotmail.com
It was almost as painful as it was joyful watching the Reggae Boyz mastermind their way to an exciting 2-1 victory over defending Copa America champions, Chile, on Friday night. It left me a bit bewildered as to how this team, that looked so ordinary away to Costa Rica in March, was able to defeat FIFA’s #3 ranked team in their own backyard.
Although it was a shock result, it does show that, on their day, the Reggae Boyz are able to mingle with and outdance the best of them. Unfortunately, such days are too far and few between.
Having performed valiantly in last summer’s Copa America and Gold Cup tournaments, much was expected from the Jamaican contingent in the early stages of the World Cup qualifiers. However, the hunger, desire, class and professionalism displayed on Friday have not been evident in the current qualifying campaign. It is quite right, then, to think that, had the Boyz played with the same poise and vigour against our Central American rivals, we would have been more comfortably placed heading into September’s fixtures.
The potential within this squad is evident. Last year’s Gold Cup achievement was no fluke. It was purely a reflection of what the team can accomplish when maximum effort is given. There is no reason this present crop of talent should be struggling against the likes of Nicaragua or be swerving recklessly off the Road to Russia. What we crave and expect is for this team to be consistent and rivalling the best in the region.
It is frustrating to witness a group that can be so good, underperform so much. No more Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It is time for the Reggae Boyz to rise up, stand and take their place. It is the hope of the nation that this victory will be used as a catalyst to achieve greater things in the Copa America Centenario and also, eventually, overcoming the odds on the Road to Russia.
If we can defeat Chile then we can definitely compete with anyone, as long as we play at our best. Let us strive to play as well as we can as often as we can. There is much greatness in this team. All the best Reggae Boyz! Win from within.
Sunil Reid
sunil.b.reid@hotmail.com