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Honduras fear Jamaica's speed
Published: Monday | October 10, 2011 0 Comments Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
MIAMI, Florida:
The new-look United States may have finally found the winning touch against Honduras, but the Central Americans are determined to deny Jamaica the same privilege and, in the process, avenge their most recent loss to the Reggae Boyz, when they host their CONCACAF rivals in a friendly football international tomorrow.
United States won 1-0 here on Saturday night to hand Jurgen Klinsmann his first victory in four games as senior men's national team coach, but Honduras do not plan a reprieve for Jamaica from their current four-game losing skid, despite admitting "respect" for the Boyz.
"Jamaica is at a great level," Honduras head coach Luis Suarez said through interpreter Edwin Banegas, the team's press officer, after his team went down to the Americans at rain-drenched Sun Life Stadium.
"(I) know Jamaica from the Gold Cup and I believe Jamaica is much better (now). They were a problem in the last Gold Cup ... . I respect Jamaica, respect the players, the coaches and we hope to do better next Tuesday."
Suarez is confident his team has improved as well, despite losing 1-0 to Jamaica in June on a thunderous Ryan Johnson shot in New Jersey. The coach was pleased by the way Honduras rallied in that Gold Cup encounter and as the tournament wore on. He is hoping that the late revival in that match will spark his team tomorrow, despite the letdown to the US.
"All matches are different," he explained. "But in the last game against Jamaica, Honduras against Jamaica, even though we lost, this game gave us the beginning of a better Gold Cup. We had a (good) second half."
Toppling Jamaica
Honduras advanced to the Gold Cup semi-final, losing on penalty kicks to eventual champions Mexico. Jamaica bowed out in the quarter-final against the US. Suarez believes Honduras have the tools to topple Jamaica this time.
"We can do it," he said. "We can answer, because Jamaica is very strong, but Honduras responded against Jamaica. Today, if you think and remember the game, the level of Jamaica is very important. But the result doesn't matter, because it was a starter for the next game and the next game and the next game and the next game for the Gold Cup."
Yet Honduras will be without two key attacking players for the Jamaica match. Striker Carlo Costly, teammates with Jamaicans Jermaine Taylor and Jevaughn Watson on US Major League Soccer team Houston Dynamos, and Mavin Chavez of MLS's FC Dallas, a tricky, speedy midfielder/winger, returned to their clubs yesterday. Costly, according to Suarez, is sorting out visaissues.
"Mavin Chavez doesn't go to Honduras," the coach said. "Carlo Costly too."
While Chavez was a late substitute against the US, Costly started and caused the American defence problems, especially with his size and skill. Still, Honduras failed to score on Saturday, and Suarez is worried about the team's ability to finish in front of goal.
"We have troubles in the last games and this (the US match) is no exception," the coach said. "The US is good, very strong, but we have our work (to do). The most important thing is we're failing in the last (attacking) third."
Yet against Jamaica, Suarez senses Honduras' priority will be containing the speed and skill of the Reggae Boyz in attack.
"(Jamaica) has a team that's very fast, very technical," Suarez said. "The definition is clear, mind clear. Approach by the striker is very strong. The first situation is defending (for Honduras). Our defence. And then approach possession. The possession of the ball is most important. When you have possession, you can start to goal.
"Jamaica and US are very different," he added. "The preparation is different, for one and for the other one. The proposal is much more direct for Jamaica, specifically. It's fast, very fast. They go from defence to the goal (in) contrary fashion. It's like walk (for the US) and speed (for Jamaica). Like England. The football of Jamaica is like England.
"(Jamaica is) very quick. And Honduras needs to cover its back. When we cover at the back, maybe we'll take away more balls."
And possibly a win. Whatever the outcome, Suarez promises that Jamaica will not be taken lightly, despite the Boyz's lower FIFA ranking when compared to the US and the fact that there is no trophy - like the Gold Cup - at stake tomorrow.
"Even in a friendly match we prepare like a serious, official (game)," he said, "Totally serious. And Jamaica is an important team."
Published: Monday | October 10, 2011 0 Comments Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
MIAMI, Florida:
The new-look United States may have finally found the winning touch against Honduras, but the Central Americans are determined to deny Jamaica the same privilege and, in the process, avenge their most recent loss to the Reggae Boyz, when they host their CONCACAF rivals in a friendly football international tomorrow.
United States won 1-0 here on Saturday night to hand Jurgen Klinsmann his first victory in four games as senior men's national team coach, but Honduras do not plan a reprieve for Jamaica from their current four-game losing skid, despite admitting "respect" for the Boyz.
"Jamaica is at a great level," Honduras head coach Luis Suarez said through interpreter Edwin Banegas, the team's press officer, after his team went down to the Americans at rain-drenched Sun Life Stadium.
"(I) know Jamaica from the Gold Cup and I believe Jamaica is much better (now). They were a problem in the last Gold Cup ... . I respect Jamaica, respect the players, the coaches and we hope to do better next Tuesday."
Suarez is confident his team has improved as well, despite losing 1-0 to Jamaica in June on a thunderous Ryan Johnson shot in New Jersey. The coach was pleased by the way Honduras rallied in that Gold Cup encounter and as the tournament wore on. He is hoping that the late revival in that match will spark his team tomorrow, despite the letdown to the US.
"All matches are different," he explained. "But in the last game against Jamaica, Honduras against Jamaica, even though we lost, this game gave us the beginning of a better Gold Cup. We had a (good) second half."
Toppling Jamaica
Honduras advanced to the Gold Cup semi-final, losing on penalty kicks to eventual champions Mexico. Jamaica bowed out in the quarter-final against the US. Suarez believes Honduras have the tools to topple Jamaica this time.
"We can do it," he said. "We can answer, because Jamaica is very strong, but Honduras responded against Jamaica. Today, if you think and remember the game, the level of Jamaica is very important. But the result doesn't matter, because it was a starter for the next game and the next game and the next game and the next game for the Gold Cup."
Yet Honduras will be without two key attacking players for the Jamaica match. Striker Carlo Costly, teammates with Jamaicans Jermaine Taylor and Jevaughn Watson on US Major League Soccer team Houston Dynamos, and Mavin Chavez of MLS's FC Dallas, a tricky, speedy midfielder/winger, returned to their clubs yesterday. Costly, according to Suarez, is sorting out visaissues.
"Mavin Chavez doesn't go to Honduras," the coach said. "Carlo Costly too."
While Chavez was a late substitute against the US, Costly started and caused the American defence problems, especially with his size and skill. Still, Honduras failed to score on Saturday, and Suarez is worried about the team's ability to finish in front of goal.
"We have troubles in the last games and this (the US match) is no exception," the coach said. "The US is good, very strong, but we have our work (to do). The most important thing is we're failing in the last (attacking) third."
Yet against Jamaica, Suarez senses Honduras' priority will be containing the speed and skill of the Reggae Boyz in attack.
"(Jamaica) has a team that's very fast, very technical," Suarez said. "The definition is clear, mind clear. Approach by the striker is very strong. The first situation is defending (for Honduras). Our defence. And then approach possession. The possession of the ball is most important. When you have possession, you can start to goal.
"Jamaica and US are very different," he added. "The preparation is different, for one and for the other one. The proposal is much more direct for Jamaica, specifically. It's fast, very fast. They go from defence to the goal (in) contrary fashion. It's like walk (for the US) and speed (for Jamaica). Like England. The football of Jamaica is like England.
"(Jamaica is) very quick. And Honduras needs to cover its back. When we cover at the back, maybe we'll take away more balls."
And possibly a win. Whatever the outcome, Suarez promises that Jamaica will not be taken lightly, despite the Boyz's lower FIFA ranking when compared to the US and the fact that there is no trophy - like the Gold Cup - at stake tomorrow.
"Even in a friendly match we prepare like a serious, official (game)," he said, "Totally serious. And Jamaica is an important team."
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