Sport

Boyz will learn from experience - Downswell

Jamaica's goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers (right) watches the ball during the first half action against Mexico in the qualifying round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup match in Houston, last Wednesday. - file

foxboro, massachusetts, cmc

JAMAICA'S REGGAE BOYZ crashed out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday after losing 3-1 to the United States in the quarter finals, but coach Wendell Downswell says he is still pleased with the team's performance.

"The Gold Cup was a tremendous experience for us playing against Mexico and the USA, who are seeded number one and two in CONCACAF," Downswell pointed out.

"The major factor for us was our level of concentration on a consistent basis. In the first half we were a bit lethargic and weren't tactically disciplined, but in the second half we came out more purposeful in terms of our approach."

Early goal

The regional team entered the match as underdogs as they had never beaten the United States in an international match.

They gave up an early goal when Josh Wolf scored in the fifth minute.

However, they had the chance to level the scores moments later but Andy Williams had his penalty saved by Casey Keller.

"We should have at least gotten an early goal, but unfortunately it was brilliant goalkeeping on the part of Casey Keller...," Downswell said.

Bruce Arena, the US coach, said he was impressed with the way that Jamaica kept pressing his side during the course of the game.

"I think it was the best game we played because they play a more open game," Arena said of the Reggae Boyz.

"But I like the fact that they continued to try and stay in the game."

Jamaica reached the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup courtesy of a 4-3 win over Guatemala in their opening match and their subsequent 3-3 draw with South Africa.

They lost their last preliminary game 1-0 to Mexico.