4 weeks ago
8
REGGAE BOYZ coach Steve McClaren said there will be no excuses despite the fact their Concacaf Nations League, League A, Group B match against Nicaragua at the Nicaragua National Football Stadium, tonight at 9 pm, will be played on an artificial surface.
Although Jamaican players have varying degrees of experience playing on artificial grass, McClaren said they will not use that as an excuse, as they are focusing on winning the game, no matter the circumstances.
“No impact whatsoever,” McClaren declared in response to questions about the surface.
“We are coming here to win the game. To try to win the game always.
“We respect them, no doubt. We respect Nicaragua. I have watched a few of the games. A very good team. Very comfortable in possession. Always very close, the games.
“They are going well in the Nations League, so we respect them. If we have to play them on (synthetic) turf, we play them on turf. We have no excuse. Football is football. They may be a little more used to it. Hopefully, our quality will come out in the end.”
He continued that their bad start, with a draw against Cuba, was followed by a good win away over Honduras, and they aim to continue on the winning path.
“This is going to be a very good game at home against a strong team. We must produce our quality. The talent within the squad is so good. The potential is so big and we have to realise it.
“We know we are a very good team, and to be a very good team you know you have to be consistent, and that’s what we are hoping to achieve. On the journey there are going to be a lot of tests. Tomorrow (today) is going to be a big test for the team,” he said.
After watching four or five games with the opponents, McClaren said he has been hugely impressed by the Nicaraguans, who may not have any real outstanding individuals, but they have good technical ability and a strong team resolve.
“I have been very impressed. They are very comfortable in possession. Not one outstanding player, but they are a team and they play as a team. They work hard for each other. They are very technical. So they can keep the ball,” he said.
With both teams tied at the top of the standings on four points, victory for either team would give them sole leadership of the group, and the Englishman said anything less than 100 per cent from his team could be detrimental.
“We must be consistent. We must be 100 per cent because, if we are below the standard, Nicaragua can cause us problems, and we know that.
So we just have to make sure we are focused and execute the game plan. We are here to win the game and we are here to make no excuses, no matter how we play,” he stated.
English (US) ·