But Boyz get by Guadeloupe to clinch final berth

[Lazie]

BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sports Editor
Friday, December 12, 2008



Jamaica's Reggae Boyz gave a far from impressive team performance but came away 2-0 victors over 10-man Guadeloupe to book their place in the final of the Digicel Caribbean Championships at the National Stadium last night.

Jamaica will meet Grenada in the final set for 'The Office' on Sunday at 6:00 pm.




Cuba and Guadeloupe will face off for third place at 3:00 pm.
In the feature yesterday, Jamaica's goals were scored by Oneil Thompson in the 11th minute, while speed demon Luton Shelton put the icing on the cake in the 57th.

In the seventh minute of play, Jamaica's sparse support ignited when Dane Richards slipped behind a towering Guadeloupe defence to poke the ball home. But few noticed that the second assistant had his flag raised for offside.

But the next telling move by Jamaica, the assistant referee kept his flag glued to his side when Norway-based Oneil Thompson rose majestically at the far post to head home UK-based Demar Phillips' right-sided corner to give the home team an 11th- minute lead.

Sadly though, not much happened for the Boyz on the offensive front after the goal and going into the break, even as they dominated ball possession. Their passing game lacked purpose and resembled more a friendly kick about of man in the middle.

The team's lack of edge and discord in the attacking end frustrated not only the players, but the fans who booed as the clock ticked towards the end of the first period.

And just as they finished the first half the Boyz started the second. Still, there was no sense of mission. And still the fans cursed.

But Shelton - a shadow up to this point - burst into the spotlight in the 57th minute with a daring solo effort from just midway the opposing half, outpedalled two defenders then easily slipped the ball by an advancing Franck Grandel in goal and the fans erupted.

Jamaica had two good opportunities to extend their lead in the 71st and 76th minutes. Austin had a thunderous shot blocked from 25 yards in the first attempt and Shelton, on another breakaway run, could not finish a superb chance.

Guadeloupe, not ranked by FIFA because of their status of being a French Overseas Department, progressed to the semi-finals of the region's top tourney when they finished second in Group B.

They lost their opening game going down to eliminated Cuba 1-2, defeated the defending champions Haiti 3-2 and drew 2-2 with Antigua and Barbuda.

Jamaica, ranked 83 by the world governing body of the sport, advanced to this stage when they "comfortably" topped Group A with a 2-1 win over Barbados, a 4-0 whipping of Grenada and 1-1 draw against arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago who made a surprise exit to the championship.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport..._BERTH__B_.asp

[Mosiah]

Sorry to bring up the name again, but if Andy Williams can make a Reggae Boyz team, Jermaine Hue can more than make it.

[Jangle]

Match report please? Fox Sports gimme a 6 fe a 9 last night.

[Me]

Sorry to bring up the name again, but if Andy Williams can make a Reggae Boyz team, Jermaine Hue can more than make it.

I can agree with that. But how is it that your boy Barnes not picking him? What did he do in camp that made Barnes nto call him?

[Lazie]

Sorry to bring up the name again, but if Andy Williams can make a Reggae Boyz team, Jermaine Hue can more than make it.

Simoes, Bown, Clovis, Lazaroni, Borat, Tappa, Barnes. All these coaches couldn't be missing what you're seeing. Maybe, he just doesn't cut it at the int'l level. I'm gonna add him to the list of "stars" that couldn't shine on the int'l level.

Andy Willams has been playing in the MLS for years. Why Hue struggle in the same league?

[Bricktop]

Butt Boyz?

[Mosiah]

Some of those questions I can't answer, but you would be surprised what actually takes place.

[Mosiah]

some tings nuh mek fi talk on public forums.

[Assasin]

ah well, him must wish a cricket that him could and just run out fi another country.

[Mosiah]

And you know, with all of that, when has Hue failed in our eyes to the point where he can never be even a half-fixture on the bench? As an U-23 player when him and Bomber use to run di place? In the first Digicel Cup competition that Jamaica won? In the Gold Cup some years ago? In international friendlies, not least of which was the one against England?

When has he failed us that badly?!?

There is a lot more happening than meets the eye.

[Rudi]

And you know, with all of that, when has Hue failed in our eyes to the point where he can never be even a half-fixture on the bench? As an U-23 player when him and Bomber use to run di place? In the first Digicel Cup competition that Jamaica won? In the Gold Cup some years ago? In international friendlies, not least of which was the one against England?

When has he failed us that badly?!?

There is a lot more happening than meets the eye.

How the Christmas going big man? Did we look that bad yesterday?

[Mosiah]

It was probably a very boring game. No, not probably, it was very boring. When since does a 1-0 half time lead result in boos?! And Guadeloupe does look like a useful team.

But tactically, it was probably a good game, and John Barnes has said it was probably the best match they have played for the tourney. It was clear that Guadeloupe was going to sit back and play with one striker. The Boyz had lots of possession and didn't venture forward much, choosing very carefully when to do so. Most of the attacks for us came by long passes from Austin who played rather deep along with Morrison, so there wasn't much midfield action, but that could be all part of the plan. Why play around in midfield when Guadeloupe had locked it down with numbers?

I think I like the fact that Barnes is prepared to win ugly rather than give the fans what we want - fast, attacking, flair-filled football.

But it was boring as hell!!!

[Me]

And you know, with all of that, when has Hue failed in our eyes to the point where he can never be even a half-fixture on the bench? As an U-23 player when him and Bomber use to run di place? In the first Digicel Cup competition that Jamaica won? In the Gold Cup some years ago? In international friendlies, not least of which was the one against England?

When has he failed us that badly?!?

There is a lot more happening than meets the eye.

He hasn't failed to a point where he doesn't deserve to be on the bench. Maybe with the exception of that Under 23 (Bomber was the only one on that team who performed well, everybody else was garbage) and under Lazaroni when him keep up him foolishness.

Maybe the only "old" players he wants in the squad are ones with an attitude that he likes (Andy and Marshall) ?

[Mosiah]

and maybe there is more to it.

[Marcus]

Lance Whittaker and his analyst made it sound so exciting and totally dominated by the Boyz.