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Argentina edge heroic Boyz 2-1
CMC
Friday, February 12, 2010
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (CMC) -- Jamaica conceded a pair of late goals to slump to defeat in an international friendly on Wednesday, when Argentina edged past them 2-1.
The Reggae Boyz were leading from early in the second half following a strike from Ryan Johnson, but gave up goals to Martin Palermo and Ignacio Canutto in the last 10 minutes to help Argentina avoid an embarrassing loss at the Jose Maria Minella Stadium.
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina -- Jamaica's Ryan Johnson reacts after missing a chance during the friendly game against Argentina on Wednesday. Argentina won 2-1. (Photo: AP) MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina -- Jamaica's Ryan Johnson reacts after missing a chance during the friendly game against Argentina on Wednesday. Argentina won 2-1. (Photo: AP) 1/1
Johnson moved in between Argentina centre-backs Leonel Galeano and Mariano Echeverria to butt-in Lovel Palmer's cross from the right.
Coach Theodore Whitmore then urged the Boyz to choose discretion over valour, and they vigourously defended their narrow lead.
Jamaica appeared to be heading to a memorable maiden victory over the two-time World champions, whose famous coach Diego Maradona fielded a side with five newcomers and none of Argentina's European exiles.
But poor marking from the Boyz saw Palermo break through in the 83rd minute to meet Jesus Mendez's cross with a firm header which net-minder Dwayne Miller was powerless to stop.
At this stage, the Jamaicans would have been satisfied to leave the contest with a level scoreline, but Palermo then returned the favour to Canutto for the 89th-minute substitute to put the Argentines ahead in stoppage time.
The Jamaicans are using the fixture to help improve their standing in World football to continue their export of players to foreign leagues, particularly in Europe, where only footballers from World's top 75 are assured of contracts under new employment legislation.
Argentina were using the match as part of their build-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they have been drawn in Group B, alongside Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece.
The Argentines will have another warm-up friendly on March 3 in Munich against three-time World champions Germany, whom they have met twice in the World Cup finals in 1986 in Mexico and 1990 in Italy.
Lineups:
Argentina -- Nelson Ibanez; Gabriel Mercado (Ignacio Canuto, 89), Mariano Echeverria (Matias Caruzzo, 71), Leonel Galeano (Nicolas Gaitan, 54), Fabian Monzon; Patricio Toranzo, Juan Mercier, Walter Acevedo (Jesus Mendez, 60), Federico Insua; Franco Jara (Gabriel Hauche, 46), Martin Palermo.
JAMAICA -- Dwayne Miller; Shavar Thomas, Lovel Palmer (Dane Richards, 63), Jermaine Taylor, Adrian Reid; Rodolph Austin, Richard Edwards, Navion Boyd (Demar Stewart, 63), Keammar Daley (Jevaughn Watson, 69); Omar Cummings (Jason Johnson, 90) y Ryan Johnson (Devon Hodges, 78).
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Boyz did themselves proud in Argentina
From the Sport Desk
BY SEAN A WILLIAMS
Friday, February 12, 2010
SITTING on edge took on literal meaning for me on Wednesday night as the Reggae Boyz appeared on their way to create the mother of all upsets from a Jamaican perspective and defeat Argentina in an away friendly international match.
I was so captivated by the prospects of a win that I had begun to formalise in my mind what this newspaper's sporting headlines would be should the Boyz hang on for the unthinkable and historic win.
Parallel to that, I also pictured the headlines in Argentina, and how they would be skewed in the most sensational of ways toward embattled coach Deigo Maradona.
At the moment that San Jose Earthquake's Ryan Johnson cleverly headed the Boyz into a 46th-minute lead, a Jamaican fairytale of dramatic proportion was taking shape -- at least in my head.
But as it turned out, all in dreamland were rocked back to reality when the two-time World Cup champions scored two late goals to snatch the win at the death.
It was no surprise they did so by conjuring up the skill, character and simple know-how that have made Argentina one of football's superpowers.
But for nearly 30,000 fans inside the Jose Maria Minella Stadium in the seaside resort of Mar Del Plata, it mattered little that the win came late. That their team faced an unfamiliar threat from a tiny adversary intent at felling a giant, is inconsequential.
But critically for Jamaica's football programme, the real winner on the night were the Boyz. Yes, Theodore Whitmore's men may have lost the game 1-2, but they scored crucial points in terms of application, tactical execution and courage in the face of the enemy -- qualities not often demonstrated by Jamaican teams.
That the outfit of mostly local-based players was able to interpret the fundamentals of their mission and to execute against a formidable opponent spoke volumes for the state of the nation's football raw material and the future, as we look to Brazil 2014.
The game plan was simple: Defend in numbers against an offensively dangerous opponent and then try and hit them on the counter-attack -- either down the flanks or down the middle, with a lone striker.
For there was no way that the Boyz would be able to match the strides of the home team in ball possession and overall technical ability. Unfortunately, that gap remains wide.
But Jamaica's plan worked to near perfection even up to the point where the killer goals were conceded. Truth be told, many expected a Boyz trouncing somewhere in the region of the 5-0 handed down by Argentina in France 1998.
But let's remind ourselves that Jamaica's football has come a long way since then.
It's not the first time that a Jamaican outfit has tested the firmament of a South American football power. On two occasions prior, five-time World champions Brazil have been only able to defeat the Boyz by 1-0 margins, with another ending 0-0.
And not so long ago, the other South American two-time World Cup champions, Uruguay, were outclassed by a stylish Jamaica, 2-0, at 'The Office' in a friendly.
Yet, the Boyz struggle to get the better of their CONCACAF counterparts.
Wednesday night's performance, I hope, even in the short term, will yield returns in the context of restoring the Boyz's scratched image for the sake of securing matches against "high-profile" opponents.
JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell tells us the job is made ten-fold harder to get desirable opposition to engage the team now that they are currently a not so attractive brand.
Their FIFA ranking of 78th leaves more to be desired in the overall scheme of things, and further, they are not among the countries heading to South Africa 2010.
We can only hope that as a direct spin-off from the Jamaicans' gritty rendition against the eighth-ranked Argentina, countries on their way to South Africa, in particular, will see the team as a possible protagonist who could help them fine-tune for the big stage.
And should goodwill from Wednesday's game flow our way in terms of matches in the coming months, it would be of great benefit if most of these games are played away from home.
The logic is that these games would over time cast the team into a culture of performing strongly in hostile arenas away from the comfort of the home front, pretty much similar to what obtained two nights ago in Argentina.
Because let's not dare forget that whatever we do now is ultimately aimed at making a World Cup repeat, and by the time the CONCACAF Qualifiers come around we would have perhaps developed a formidable and fearsome persona, not only at home, but more importantly, away.
For it is well documented that our World Cup failures are partly entrenched in our timidity playing across the seas.
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Burrell hails Reggae Boyz Published: Friday | February 12, 2010
Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sport
Jamaica Football Federation President Captain Horace Burrell.
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina:
The Reggae Boyz were wholeheartedly congratulated by Jamaica Football Fed-eration (JFF) president, Captain Horace Burrell following a stout-hearted performance in which they were beaten 2-1 by Argentina in their international friendly football match for the Copa Loteria de la Provincia de Burnos Aires (Buenos Aires Lottery Trophy) on Wednesday night.
However, the no-nonsense football president also warned that he will be instructing his technical committee to remove some players from the programme, who he believes are not par for the course.
The Jamaicans, who qualified for the World Cup Finals in 1998, and have a global ranking of 78, led the eighth-ranked South Americans - two-time World Cup champions - 1-0 up to the 86th minute.
Ryan Johnson scored to give Jamaica the lead at the 68th minute. Martin Palermo equalised for the home team four minutes from time, heading a low cross from the edge of the penalty box past goalkeeper Dwayne Miller, who reacted very late and was beaten as the ball bounced past him and lodged inside the far post.
Substitute Ignacio Canuto then scored the game-winner in the last few seconds of four minutes added for stoppages.
"First of all, I want to con-gratulate the team for playing with heart," said Burrell. "In fact, it has been quite a while since I've seen this sort of performance coming from a Jamaican team, especially in the second-half, I thought they gave it their all.
"Of course, there were one or two blunders which might have resulted in what transpired and we just have to learn from this."
Well-Directed header
Johnson, recalled to the team recently after a four-year hiatus, scored a well directed header from the edge of the 18-yard box, off a deep cross from Lovel Palmer on the right flank.
"I want to definitely congratulate Ryan Johnson, he's one for the future - simple football, very disciplined," observed Burrell, of the point forward who plays professionally at San Jose Earthquakes in the United States' Major League Soccer ( MLS). "He approaches the game with professionalism and purpose and, watching his behaviour on the field told me that at all times he was trying to lift the team.
"Again, I must congratulate the Boyz. They have done Jamaica proud and we will just have to continue to build on this solid platform, which has been established here tonight in Argentina.
"One has to remember that you are playing against Argentina, the number-eight ranked team in the world," the JFF president pointed out. "Argentina is Argentina and therefore, playing against Argentina in Argentina, in an atmosphere that was extremely vocal and doing what they did, is encouraging."
There were several questionable calls against Jamaica and Burrell made mention. "I never comment on officiating, that's all right. I thought a number of home town decisions went their way, but that is the game of football. But, on a whole, the Reggae Boyz have done what I asked them to do and that was to give a sterling performance, to play with purpose, and we've seen this."
Collapse
As the team rested on the cusp of history and a massive win against the Argentineans, who beat Jamaica 5-0 in their last senior meeting at the World Cup Finals in France in 1998, they collapsed under a barrage of late substitutions. This never pleased Burrell, who noted that he would be moving to eliminate some players from the programme.
He said: "What is also clear is that not all players are going to cut it at this level and one of the things which I will instruct the technical committee to do is concentrate on a group of players with purpose - players who are serious, who are determined, who are ready to get us in the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil.
"Like everyone else, I'm extremely disappointed but someone has to stand his ground and comfort the players. This is exactly what I did when I went to the dressing room after the game.
"... (I) told them to lift their chin because they had just played very well against Argentina and they were not to be daunted by the result," said Burrell.
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Originally Posted By: pelepapa
To those who makes an issue of me faulting the fans for steering Burrell into making decisions detrimental to the Boyz...all I can say is the proof is in the pudding. I ask the question...Who came first. The fans or Burrell? Who a influence who?
The USA, Mexico and Honduras are in the WC. They will come back with nuff money in their coffers to set them up for the next WC. T & T have Warner so them set too. CR didn't make the WC, but we are off on a money making tour of WC bound teams (Argentina, Chile, Slovakia, France an Switzerland). And we are not shy to state that our purpose is to prepare the teams for the WC and rake in as much money in the process. We are playing the part of sparring partner.
What are Jamaican fans doing? Dem ah beat up the team over what should basically be a meaningless game to Jamaica's future prospects, except as a funding source. This game shouldn't even be considered part of the rebuilding process IMO. Man should be asking how much money wi mek and how much more can wi mek off of this performance. Instead them a analyze team performance. Every 4 years the same thing repeats itself without fail. The last time it was England. Up to this day man ah analyze who did what in that game. That game ended up costing JA in part because the JA fans and administration treated it as if it meant more to JA than to England, so of course sly England let unnu pay for the privilege while they reap the reward. The England game turned out to be a fiasco so maybe there weren't many teams lining up to play JA at that time.
This WC cycle Jamaica is in a unique position to make big money if they are smart. Don't discount the need for teams to acclimate themselves to performing in front of a huge black audience. Anyone see a 4 team tourney at the office? Add that to my list of reasons Jamaica should be raking in big bucks this WC cycle. Everybody ah go on like seh sparring partner is a curse word. A couple of years back everybody was behind JA collecting a cool $1mil to serve as Bahrain's sparring partner when they were looking to knock a fellow CONCACAF and Caribbean team out of the WC, but now that this WC is decided and there is money to be made it has become a curse word.
Why should Jamaica play any non-WC bound non-CONCACAF team at this point? So they can waste money? This shouldn't be the time for rebuilding or to thump up chest bout revenge or anything like that. That time will come and there will be a higher probability of success if the JFF is sitting on a boatload of money instead of debt.
Between now and WC Burrell should be judged on how many WC bound teams he is able to line up for JA and how much loot he generates in the process. The players did their part against Argentina to put JA on the path. It is time for Burrell to do his.
PP , USA/Mexico and Honduras are top seed teams in Concacaf . Honduras knock Costa Rica off to claim the 3rd seed spot in Concacaf and this will be useful for them in World Cup Qualifying and Gold cup where they will head Groups . You are talking about Jamaica losing money off the Argentina Game , I dont think so , we gain 20,000 USD from the Game and all expense paid for . You are knocking at Jamaica about Bahrain , you seems to forget it was Bahraini Association who ask Jamaica Football Federation for a game . Anyhow that game did not played instead Panama Grab the oppurtunity to play Bahrain and they took the funds . PP , no disrispect but you are throwing dirty water on jamaican football about Jamaica conspiracy against T&T I advice you to just chill , its gone . Jamaica football is on the right track , we dont have alot of money but we have Burrell ! he is not as powerful as Jack Warner but he have contacts . Since he is in we are preparing well and whats luck withouth preparation ? PP easy man , Burrell is the most Successful President we have . Furthermore Burrell is in his ist term since taking over from the Boxhill administration, peace !
Edited by metro (02/12/1009:01 AM)
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put me on your buddy list I will be more than happy to do the same .
So Argentina paid unnu $20,000 and all expenses for interfering in their WC preparation?
My point about Bahrain is not an attempt to knock JA football. As you said, that game did not materialize. Talking about that. I expected Jamaica to have a favor thrown their way for passing on that game, if JA did passed. People say Jamaica passed on that game, but nothing that happened since points to that...Group of death in WC qualifiers and GC? some reward. Imagine if they had played Bahrain and T & T didn't mek WC.
The point I was aiming to make with that throw away reference to Bahrain is that preparing a team to play against an opponent is part of all sports including football and Bahrain proves that unnu understand that, because that's what JA was about to do. Therefore I am not yelling at the moon. At least not yet.
By the way unnu don't have a lot of money BECAUSE, not but, unnu have Burrell.
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Originally Posted By: pelepapa
People say Jamaica passed on that game, but nothing that happened since points to that...Group of death in WC qualifiers and GC? some reward.
I dont know why but ever since that Bahrain/Jamaica thing we are Cast in every Group of Death at the senior level .
Look @ it ...
WCQ 2010 Mexico Honduras Canada mexico & honduras qualifies for World Cup , finishing 2nd & 3rd
I am still saddened by this , Kasey Keller under intructions from Chuck Blazer did the honors and select the Groups . It's a talk about around the media landscape of Jamaica that the Concacaf big wigs select the Groups.
Caribbean Cup 2008 Group B Grenada Trinided & Tobago Jamaica Barbados The finals was decided by 2 teams from this Group . That Group was A Group of death ,everyone knows the eastern Caribbean Teams always engages in conspiracy , they did it in 2007 Caribbean cup and Jamaica was on there way out , By the way the same thing that happen to Jamaica in 2007 happened to Trinidad in 2008 i.e they failed to advance
Gold Cup 2009 Group C Canada Jamaica Costa Rica El salvador , No doubt it was the stronger Group in Gold Cup 2009 .
I am just keeping my fingers cross the next 23 months when FIFA do the WC Qualifying draw , its done fairly . it was not done so across Concacaf in recent time .
Note : we mist one Gold Cup in 2007 .
Edited by metro (02/13/1005:15 PM)
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put me on your buddy list I will be more than happy to do the same .
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Can't help speculating - Would we have closed out better if Goodison or Marshall were present? Even at this point in their careers, given the significance of the win(objective)/draw(acceptable)?
That no penalty call on RJ by the Preuvian referee - If defender got any of that ball, it's a corner. If he did not get any ball then its a penalty.
There was a another nasty Argentinian leg tackle. Caused player to go off. That would have been a red for Ja.
After watching the game and as a fan following the boyz for many years, the young team did well for them selves for not embarrassing them selves, the fans and country. The friendly result is a whole Lot better than their last encounter. Pressafoot don't forget the players you mentioned was a part of the 98 squad that receive a trashing in the opening world cup final game. The issue that Tappa has to work on with this young team is (a)keeping possession under pressure(b)keeping focus and concentration under pressure (c)defend crosses in the air with conviction (d)defend lead advantage with intelligence (e)increase work rate in all the players. I have seen too many important games where we loose or draw games in added time because we loose concentration and focus. I believe the criticism the young goal keeper received is unjust, not withstanding the fact that he made some mistakes, i don't know of any professional footballer who have not made errors in games, what matters is have the player learn from the mistakes, will the coaching staff help the player to understand the error and help him develop. Mr Barrel made some public comments about players that may not belong in the program. The players performance did not suggest any indiscipline on the field, therefore any issue with players skills that did not represent the team well should come from the head coach and not in public forum. Burrell him self has made a number of mistakes governing the program and if it wasn't for is TD selection errors may be we would be in South Africa in June, so Mr Barrell please leave players selection and coaching to Mr Withmoore, he is doing a good job.
