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Jamaica Lacked Clear Team Plan, Says Maxwell
Published: Sunday | March 24, 2013 0 Comments
Geoffrey Maxwel
1 2 >
Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer
Veteran football coach Geoffrey Maxwell has hit out at the lack of a Jamaican team plan during last Friday's 1-1 draw with Panama in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium.
Marvin Elliott of Bristol City had put Jamaica ahead in the 23rd minute when he headed home a Demar Phillips corner, but Luis Henriquez ensured a point for Panama with a 66th-minute strike.
"I didn't see anything Friday night that indicated to me that there was a team plan," former national senior coach Maxwell said. "We could see what Panama were doing, but you couldn't at any given time see what Jamaica's method of play was.
"It was a disappointing result for us. I am also disappointed with the fact that we can't seem to understand what possessional football is. You can't 'over possess', but you must have some idea of possessing at the right time," Maxwell said. "There was just nothing in midfield in terms of creativity for us to score goals."
STRONGER MIDFIELDERS NEEDED
Continuing Maxwell, who is the current coach of Premier League outfit Humble Lion added: "I think we need to have a midfield player that can dictate the pace of the game, when to play it long, when to play it short and when to play a possessional game."
Maxwell pointed out that a number of players were not playing in their usual positions and this hampered the flow of the team throughout the game.
"I think that selected individuals were not playing in their right positions. I have always said that Rodolph Austin is not a holding midfielder and, therefore, he should be playing right behind the two forwards," he said.
Looking ahead to the Reggae Boyz game against Costa Rica on Tuesday, Maxwell said: "Playing Costa Rica in Costa Rica is not going be easy for us because I know down there, and I think we have some homework to do very fast."
Former national youth coach, Donovan Duckie, believes that the Reggae Boyz could have won the game but a number of the players were too selfish.
"We looked lethargic on the field and weren't pressing the ball," said Duckie. "I think that when we were on the offence, it was too much individualism by our players."
He added: "I also think a number of players looked match-rusty, because both Luton Shelton and Jermaine Beckford weren't sharp. I think Panama played like they were at home because we backed up too deep and we should have been a lot more aggressive in all areas of the field.
Continuing, Duckie stated: "I am very disappointed because I think it was our chance to go atop the table. However, the important thing for us now is to ensure that we don't lose the game against Costa Rica on Tuesday."
Published: Sunday | March 24, 2013 0 Comments
Geoffrey Maxwel
1 2 >
Robert Bailey, Sunday Gleaner Writer
Veteran football coach Geoffrey Maxwell has hit out at the lack of a Jamaican team plan during last Friday's 1-1 draw with Panama in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium.
Marvin Elliott of Bristol City had put Jamaica ahead in the 23rd minute when he headed home a Demar Phillips corner, but Luis Henriquez ensured a point for Panama with a 66th-minute strike.
"I didn't see anything Friday night that indicated to me that there was a team plan," former national senior coach Maxwell said. "We could see what Panama were doing, but you couldn't at any given time see what Jamaica's method of play was.
"It was a disappointing result for us. I am also disappointed with the fact that we can't seem to understand what possessional football is. You can't 'over possess', but you must have some idea of possessing at the right time," Maxwell said. "There was just nothing in midfield in terms of creativity for us to score goals."
STRONGER MIDFIELDERS NEEDED
Continuing Maxwell, who is the current coach of Premier League outfit Humble Lion added: "I think we need to have a midfield player that can dictate the pace of the game, when to play it long, when to play it short and when to play a possessional game."
Maxwell pointed out that a number of players were not playing in their usual positions and this hampered the flow of the team throughout the game.
"I think that selected individuals were not playing in their right positions. I have always said that Rodolph Austin is not a holding midfielder and, therefore, he should be playing right behind the two forwards," he said.
Looking ahead to the Reggae Boyz game against Costa Rica on Tuesday, Maxwell said: "Playing Costa Rica in Costa Rica is not going be easy for us because I know down there, and I think we have some homework to do very fast."
Former national youth coach, Donovan Duckie, believes that the Reggae Boyz could have won the game but a number of the players were too selfish.
"We looked lethargic on the field and weren't pressing the ball," said Duckie. "I think that when we were on the offence, it was too much individualism by our players."
He added: "I also think a number of players looked match-rusty, because both Luton Shelton and Jermaine Beckford weren't sharp. I think Panama played like they were at home because we backed up too deep and we should have been a lot more aggressive in all areas of the field.
Continuing, Duckie stated: "I am very disappointed because I think it was our chance to go atop the table. However, the important thing for us now is to ensure that we don't lose the game against Costa Rica on Tuesday."
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