McClaren pleased with win against ‘difficult opponents’

Reggae Boyz head coach Stephen McClaren has hailed Jamaica’s 2-0 win in a difficult environment in Nicaragua on Thursday night.

Jamaica remained atop Group B of League A with seven points through an own goal from defender Josué Quijano and a close-range finish from Romario Williams in the Concacaf Nations League match.

McClaren felt the win was especially impressive as the team had to contend with a hostile environment set to unnerve his players.

Since his appointment in late July, McClaren has consistently pointed to the toughness of away fixtures against Central American opponents.

“I think we knew it was going be a tough game,” McClaren said. “I thought the crowd was fantastic, great atmosphere and that’s what football is about. Against a difficult opponent, I think we were well-coached, very possession based and created the opportunities, but didn’t quite have the finish.”

He added, “We knew this was a tough place to come, a hostile environment like we faced in Honduras. I’m just learning about Concacaf and what an experience. It is so different, like the atmosphere and a fantastic crowd and tough games. There is not an easy game in Concacaf so we are delighted with the result, and delighted to come away with the three points.”

Despite the win, Jamaica had a few nervy moments against the Nicaraguans which McClaren chalked up to their unfamiliarity with playing on an artificial surface.

He said the team was not able to properly impose the possession style play they had wanted in the first half, but eventually adapted to the surface throughout the second half of the match.

He also credited the performance of goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake, whose shot-stopping skills kept the Nicaraguans out of the contest.

“We wanted to build a possession game and we didn’t quite have that. I think the surface was a bit difficult and it took a while to get used to that, the first half especially. I think in the second half we were more composed and controlled the game better.

“We had the quality and couple of good moves, we scored and we had opportunities. We blocked, we headed away and Andre made an impressive save at the end,” he continued.

Team showed character

Williams, the night’s goalscorer, was also pleased with the result as he believed while the team was not at their best, they showed their character in seeing out the win at the end.

He is now turning his focus to Jamaica’s next assignment, which is a home fixture against Honduras at the National Stadium.

“I thought it was a professional performance,” Williams said. “Obviously coming into a tough environment, we know what was at stake and we just wanted to come out here and get a positive result. We have another game at home in a couple days against Honduras. It wasn’t our best performance, but we got the three points and that’s what matters.”

Jamaica will face Honduras on Monday knowing they will need just a point to advance to the quarterfinals of the Nations League.