Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Members of the Reggae Boyz starting XI in the match against Honduras on Wednesday. Stooping (from left): Ricardo Gardner (captain), Demar Phillips, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Omar Daley and Luton Shelton. Standing (from left): goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, Ricardo Fuller, Claude Davis, Oneil Thompson, Tyrone Marshall and Ian Goodison. Jamaica defeated Honduras 1-0 with Shelton scoring the winning goal. - ian allen

Impressed by the dazzling performance they saw on Wednesday night, several local coaches and a football administrator have expressed confidence in Jamaica's national football team in their bid to qualify for the next round of the World Cup Qualifying Championship.

Glenmuir High School's coach, Patrick 'Jackie' Walters, who is undoubtedly one of the country's successful youth coach, said the Jamaican team displayed a gutsy performance against the Hondurans.

"Jamal Campbell-Ryce was outstanding," said Walters, who singled out a few players.

He had high marks for defender Ian 'Pepe' Goodison, who, according to him, displayed maturity and experience. Coach Walters also commended Ricardo Fuller for his commitment, midfielder Oneil 'Bigga' Thompson for his defensive qualities and goalscorer Luton Shelton.

Tactical plan

Lebert Halliman who currently coaches Excelsior High in the Manning Cup competition, said the team stuck to the tactical plan of coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore.

"This is something that they have been doing for the past two games. The players really wanted to play, but midfielder Robert Austin was missed," said Halliman.

Former Arnett Gardens Premier League coach, Jerome Waite, described Wednesday's game as a good performance, but noted that the team created five clear, scoring chances and only put away one.

"We should have scored these goals, just in case it comes down to goal difference," said Waite.

He said the team looked very organised in defence and attacked in numbers, creating chances. What was lacking, was the co-ordination between midfield and forwards.

On Wednesday night when Trinidadian referee Neal Brizan blew the final whistle indicating the end of the game the National Stadium erupted into carnival-like celebrations.

Patrons danced up a storm in a mini party which lasted for about 20 minutes. Even a female security guard in uniform was observed in a section of the grandstand gyrating.

While this was happening, members of the fire department were summoned to an office in the grandstand, where a woman was accidentally locked inside. The keys to the office could not be found. So, the firemen had to lift the woman through a small glass window, above the door.