Monday, September 9, 2024

23 THE STAR SPORTS • Monday, September 9, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com LIVINGSTON SCOTT STAR Writer J amaica striker Michail Antonio said although the Reggae Boyz were wasteful in their 0-0 Concacaf Nations League League A, Group B football match against Cuba on Friday, he believes the team is on the right path. Antonio, who represents West Ham in the English Premier League, said the way the team controlled the game and created chances is in line with how new coach Steve McClaren wants them to play, and that the only thing missing was the goals. “We only needed to put the ball in the net but we had a lot of great opportunities. How we controlled the game, the possession, we were constantly inside their half. So next game we’ve just got to put the ball in the back of the net,” he said. Despite Jamaica not getting the win the nation was strongly anticipating, he believes that there is no need to panic as the team was excellent in every department, but one - scoring. “I wouldn’t make much changes. What we did was we played some pretty good football. We had a lot of chances, a lot of shots at goal, and those shots could be in the net. So next game the change we need is to put the ball in the back of the net. “I missed opportunity, ‘Boza’ (Shamar Nicholson) missed opportunity, Demi (Demarai Gray) missed opportunity. So the forward line, we all missed chances. So next time we’ve got to score. Hopefully, we can do what we did today (Friday) and change one thing and hit the net.” The team is now in Honduras where they will play their second Group B game. The Hondurans are ranked higher than Cuba, and will be playing at home which should make things even tougher for the Reggae Boyz when they play in Tegucigalpa on Tuesday. “Honduras is a better team than Cuba. So it’s not going to be easy to go there and play away. But as long as we can keep control of the game and learn the way the new gaffer (McClaren) is trying to do it, I feel things will be positive,” he said Antonio, who has four international goals from 18 matches, scored Jamaica’s lone goal in three games at the Copa America in June. He is also looking to add to his international tally when they take on the Central Americans. “It is always a time for me to deliver. As a striker, I should always score goals. I am disappointed I didn’t score today (Friday). I should have scored. I had a big opportunity for myself,” he admitted. “So for me every time I step on the field I feel I should score. Yes, I definitely believe I will score Tuesday. But there was something blocking the goal (Friday). We just hope in Honduras it opens up for us.” livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com ‘We’ve just got to put the ball in the net’ Antonio admits missing element in Reggae Boyz’s play Reggae Boyz midfielder Kasey Palmer takes a selfie with fans at the Jamaica vs Cuba Group B, League A Concacaf Nations League football match at the National Stadium on Friday. The game ended 0-0. Jamaica’s Demarai Gray (centre) comes under pressure from Cuba’s Alejandro Delgado (left) and Maikel Reyes (right) during their Group B, Concacaf Nations League A football match at the National Stadium on Friday. The game ended 0-0. Jamaica’s Shamar Nicholson leaps over Cuba’s goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena, who advanced to successfully claim the ball, during Friday’s Group B, Concacaf Nations League League A football match at the National Stadium in Kingston. The match ended 0-0. P hotos by G ladstone t aylor