Sport

Downswell gets a B plus

By GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor

Wendell Downswell - file

A WIN, DRAW and two losses do not appear an impressive record on the surface. But Jamaica's showing in football's 2005 Gold Cup in the United States deserves closer scrutiny. Today, The Star hands out the final performance grades:

GOALKEEPERS: Donovan Ricketts, who played all but one of the Reggae Boyz games, was competent. Nothing spectacular. Few glaring mistakes. But a goalkeeper must be extraordinary at least once or twice for an ordinary team to advance deep in any tournament (see Panama). Shawn Sawyers faced - and survived - a tough test against Mexico; dropped one cross, but pulled off a brilliant save. Neither Ricketts nor Sawyers rules the penalty box convincingly. It wasn't all their fault, but Jamaica did concede 10 goals in four games.

- GRADE C

DEFENCE: This unit was the biggest concern long before the Gold Cup. Why? A combination of inexperience, sub-par skills and plain stupidity. Ten goals conceded say enough about technical ability and tactical awareness. It could have been worse. Jamaica were also unsettled by untimely injuries to Tyrone Marshall and Claude Davis, the best of the lot. Limited preparation time didn't help, but the erratic play of Damion Stewart, Jermaine Taylor and Omar Daley, which cost Jamaica cautions or straight ejections, was disturbing. Fullbacks Robert Scarlett and Garfield Reid showed promising glimpses, but Tyrone Sawyers was too timid, and may have lost his spot to Daley.

- GRADE D

MIDFIELD: In many ways the Boyz' brightest unit. Although Jamaica can surely possess the ball more consistently, the midfield provided spark and often telling service to the attackers. Khari Stephenson established himself throughout in the defensive role, and appears on track to fill a gaping hole. His brilliant free kick against the U.S. shows he has offensive skills too, which should show up more often as his confidence grows.

Jermaine Hue finally took some of his NPL form to the big stage with two brilliant goals, but his work rate and desire when under pressure raise questions. Captain Andy Williams's penalty miss in the U.S. match hurt the team, but he worked hard all tournament and his announced retirement may be premature.

- GRADE B

FORWARDS: Two goals by Ricardo Fuller say something went right up front for Jamaica. Many glaring - some unlucky - misses, especially from Jermaine Johnson, showed not everything was perfect. But at least the Boyz had opportunities to score - and netted eight times. Jamaica were creative and positive in attack all tournament, causing problems for all their opponents with pace and skill, if not consistent finishing. Timely goals too, against Guatemala and South Africa, showed spunk. Luton Shelton scored a big goal early, then he got injured. Teofore Bennett scored too and Damani Ralph, although below his best, worked hard.

- GRADE B

COACHING: The Boyz' physical condition was good throughout the tournament, and served the team well, especially with four games in just over a week.

Also credit the coaches for the team's positive approach. Jamaica were not overwhelmed by any opponent and met each challenge, except maybe in the first half against the U.S., with gusto. Except for a couple curious tactical calls, for example Reid replacing Hue against the U.S. leaving Bennett on the bench, plus the continued inconsistencies on defence, head coach Wendell Downswell appeared to play most of his cards correctly. A young and inexperienced team, comprising mostly local-based players, was not supposed to compete. Making it to the quarter finals of a tournament featuring top class opponents such as Mexico and the U.S. was a huge bonus.

- GRADE B-PLUS

- Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.