‘Things to work on’

REGGAE GIRLZ assistant coach Deon Burton was more disappointed with the way his charges lost in an international friendly against the United States on Tuesday night at Energizer Park in St Louis rather than the actual scoreline.

The Reggae Girlz lost 4-0, courtesy of a couple of braces from teenager Ally Sendtor (19th and 28th minutes) and Lynn Biyendolo (60th and 88th), but the disparity in the scoreline was expected.

“We knew it was going to be a tough match, obviously, coming up against the number-one team in the world,” Burton began during a post-game press conference.

Despite the acknowledge of the chasm between the teams, Burton still left pitchside feeling the Reggae Girlz should have, and could have, done better.

“But the disappointing aspect was probably how we conceded the goals,” said Burton.

The former Reggae Boy specifically singled out goals that came despite having prepared the team against those very dangers.

“The first one, we worked on it. About defending the back post. A couple of players were in the right positions, they just didn’t make first contact on the ball,” said Burton.

GOOD SAVE

The assistant coach, who was part of the Reggae Boyz team to make its only successful berth at a World Cup finals, also pointed to a goal that came after goalkeeper Liya Brooks made a good save, but no Jamaican followed the parry to help out.

Brooks, he said, had a fantastic game for the Reggae Girlz between the sticks.

Still, Burton was not too disappointed with the defending, but believed the Reggae Girlz were not brave enough when they won the ball to use it in transition.

“We just needed that little bit of grit in the build-up once we’ve turned it over. [That grit] to try and push up the pitch and get us a bit of territory,” said the former frontman.

Still, Burton believes the Girlz showed determination to stay in the game even with tired legs, and that is something to build on.

“Credit to some of the players, they were out on their legs. They worked so hard, and that’s what it’s gonna take. And if we can keep that determination and that hard work, it’s only going to bode well for the future when it comes time for World Cup Qualifiers.

The Reggae Girlz now look ahead to a friendly against England on June 29 at the King Power Stadium, and Burton sees tactics from Tuesday’s game he would like to carry over.

“[We’d like to] carry on with the compact shape in the mid-block and being very self-conscious about how to defend,” said Burton.

But there are things Burton believes that were shown up by the game against the US that he wants to see fixed against England.

“Can we be better on the turnover? When we start to win the ball, can we be better with it in transition? So, things to work on, but a few positives to take away.”