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Switzerland blank Boyz 2-0 <DIV class=KonaBody>
Left: Marco Streller ... scored opening goal for Switzerland - file Right: Richard McCallum ... man-of-the-match for the Reggae Boyz. - file
GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida
Jamaica buckled under a marauding first half by Switzerland, coughed up two early goals, before showing more purpose near the end of their losing friendly football international here last night.
The final 2-0 scoreline did not adequately reflect the early Swiss dominance, which included numerous missed chances, and, despite an encouraging second-half, the Reggae Boyz bowed to their first loss under new technical director Bora Milutinovic.
The game started in cool, overcast conditions in front of an estimated crowd of over 3,200 dominated on one side by vociferous black, green and gold-clad Jamaican fans. The brisk, flag-fluttering breeze affected the early rhythm of both teams. But Switzerland settled in quickly, dominating midfield and forcing the Reggae Boyz to chase the ball all over the park.
Switzerland's early possession, featuring attacks down both flanks, eventually paid off. In the seventh minute, a deflected cross from the left by midfielder Gokhan Inler floated into big striker Marco Streller. He controlled quickly and, with back to goal and still marked, pivoted and shot low into the far corner past the late reach of Jamaica's goalkeeper Richard McCallum, who may have picked up the ball late.
In the 12th minute the score doubled. A corner by Tranquillo Barnetta was met with a firm volley by Inler at the edge of the penalty area and sent low to the right of McCallum.
It could have been much worse shortly after. An error by the Jamaica backline, which had trouble picking up the movement of the physical Swiss attackers, left Streller alone with McCallum. The keeper charged into the collision, leaving the big striker on the ground in pain, and earning himself a yellow card. The 21st minute freekick curled in by Ludovic Magnin forced McCallum into a brilliant save to deny a third goal. Two minutes later, Magnin should have redeemed himself, but his shot, when alone with McCallum, was deflected for another corner.
In the 39th, Lovel Palmer, who struggled throughout the half, lost possession in his own penalty area, but captain Alexander Frei's shot was again well saved by the busy McCallum, the Boyz' MVP of the match.
Jamaica's best - and only glimpse - at a goal scoring chance in the half came shortly after when Fabian Taylor fired a free kick from the edge of the Swiss box straight into the defensive wall. But Taylor and strike partner Kavin Bryan were often left with little support against the imposing Swiss defence marshalled by Philippe Senderos and Patrick Muller.
Meanwhile, Jamaica's own midfield struggled to bother the businesslike Swiss. The starting quartet of Donald Stewart, Nicholy Finlayson, Demar Phillips and Lovel Palmer was no match for their strong and technically adept opponents and surrendered the territory easily. Soon it was one-way traffic as the Swiss attacked like a swarm of red-clad bees. Just before the half, Frei was again sent clear, but his right-footer was driven against the upright with McCallum beaten.
Jamaica made three changes to start the second half, calling on the experienced Fabian Davis to spearhead the midfield, plus Keniel Moodie and Adrian Reid, to replace Stewart, Finlayson and Oneil Smith. Milutinovic's desired spark came quickly. In the 48th minute, Taylor ran on to a long diagonal ball and hammered a left-foot shot - Jamaica's first of the match - just wide of the upright.
Milutinovic's ha
Left: Marco Streller ... scored opening goal for Switzerland - file Right: Richard McCallum ... man-of-the-match for the Reggae Boyz. - file
GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida
Jamaica buckled under a marauding first half by Switzerland, coughed up two early goals, before showing more purpose near the end of their losing friendly football international here last night.
The final 2-0 scoreline did not adequately reflect the early Swiss dominance, which included numerous missed chances, and, despite an encouraging second-half, the Reggae Boyz bowed to their first loss under new technical director Bora Milutinovic.
The game started in cool, overcast conditions in front of an estimated crowd of over 3,200 dominated on one side by vociferous black, green and gold-clad Jamaican fans. The brisk, flag-fluttering breeze affected the early rhythm of both teams. But Switzerland settled in quickly, dominating midfield and forcing the Reggae Boyz to chase the ball all over the park.
Switzerland's early possession, featuring attacks down both flanks, eventually paid off. In the seventh minute, a deflected cross from the left by midfielder Gokhan Inler floated into big striker Marco Streller. He controlled quickly and, with back to goal and still marked, pivoted and shot low into the far corner past the late reach of Jamaica's goalkeeper Richard McCallum, who may have picked up the ball late.
In the 12th minute the score doubled. A corner by Tranquillo Barnetta was met with a firm volley by Inler at the edge of the penalty area and sent low to the right of McCallum.
It could have been much worse shortly after. An error by the Jamaica backline, which had trouble picking up the movement of the physical Swiss attackers, left Streller alone with McCallum. The keeper charged into the collision, leaving the big striker on the ground in pain, and earning himself a yellow card. The 21st minute freekick curled in by Ludovic Magnin forced McCallum into a brilliant save to deny a third goal. Two minutes later, Magnin should have redeemed himself, but his shot, when alone with McCallum, was deflected for another corner.
In the 39th, Lovel Palmer, who struggled throughout the half, lost possession in his own penalty area, but captain Alexander Frei's shot was again well saved by the busy McCallum, the Boyz' MVP of the match.
Jamaica's best - and only glimpse - at a goal scoring chance in the half came shortly after when Fabian Taylor fired a free kick from the edge of the Swiss box straight into the defensive wall. But Taylor and strike partner Kavin Bryan were often left with little support against the imposing Swiss defence marshalled by Philippe Senderos and Patrick Muller.
Meanwhile, Jamaica's own midfield struggled to bother the businesslike Swiss. The starting quartet of Donald Stewart, Nicholy Finlayson, Demar Phillips and Lovel Palmer was no match for their strong and technically adept opponents and surrendered the territory easily. Soon it was one-way traffic as the Swiss attacked like a swarm of red-clad bees. Just before the half, Frei was again sent clear, but his right-footer was driven against the upright with McCallum beaten.
Jamaica made three changes to start the second half, calling on the experienced Fabian Davis to spearhead the midfield, plus Keniel Moodie and Adrian Reid, to replace Stewart, Finlayson and Oneil Smith. Milutinovic's desired spark came quickly. In the 48th minute, Taylor ran on to a long diagonal ball and hammered a left-foot shot - Jamaica's first of the match - just wide of the upright.
Milutinovic's ha
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