Thursday, September 12, 2024

22 THE STAR SPORTS • Thursday, September 12, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com LIVINGSTON SCOTT STAR Writer R eggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren said their Concacaf League A, Group B game against Honduras in Tegucigalpa on Tuesday was ‘tough as anticipated’ and credited the players for their effort in the 2-1 win over the Central Americans. Needing to win to keep their quarterfinal hopes intact, Jamaica took the lead after 49 minutes through a Denil Maldonado own goal, after good work from Norman Campbell on the right. However, the visitors’ lead was short-lived as a minute later, poor defending allowed David Ruiz to equalise from six yards. The Reggae Boyz though would ensure a fifth straight win over their opponents when Michail Antonio was fouled in the area by goalkeeper Lyis Lopez, and the West Ham striker got up, brushed himself off and confidently stroked home the resulting penalty 14 minutes from the end to secure the win. “That was a tough game. We knew it would be, not just the team (opponent) but also away from home is always very difficult. The crowd, the atmosphere gave the players the energy. This team (Honduras) can play football and they played football,” McClaren commented. He also thought the execution of the players on the night was top class. “Credit to our players. In every aspect they were magnificent. The first 30 minutes we were controlling possession, we were very brave in possession. We built from the back. It is difficult to go away and play like that. I was so impressed with that,” McClaren said. “The last 15 minutes Honduras, they were so good. We did well to survive. We were always dangerous when we won the ball, always dangerous in transition. I credit my players for the work. They were hard to beat,” he said. The Jamaicans partly owed victory to two point-blank saves by goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake. His second big save came in added time. Jamaica now join Nicaragua on top of the standings in Group B with four points, one more than Honduras, and McClaren anticipates an equally competitive fixture when they meet again in October. “I listened to their coach after. The game was well played, it was really tough,” he said. “I am sure in another three to four weeks it will be another tough game.” livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com They were magnificent – McClaren LIVINGSTON SCOTT STAR Writer C hristopher Williams, Chairman of Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL), says they did extensive work in the off- season to ensure that the quality of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) improves in all aspects. Williams, speaking to STAR Sports at the launch of the 2024- 25 JPL season at the headquarters of sponsors Wray and Nephew in New Kingston on Tuesday night, said that they focused especially on improving playing surfaces and lighting at match venues. “We have done a lot of work in the off-season. We have got additional coaches into the league, we have brought all the controversial figures of football into the league and we have managed to get to Dream Entertainment (who partnered with Arnett) into the league, which means the focus of entertainment will be the Jamaica Premier League,” Williams outlined. “We have a great sponsor, great coaches, great players, great pitches. When you go to the grounds you will see the work we have done in the off-season in getting the pitches up to quality standard. “If you look at all the clubs we focused on, they have improved. Catherine Hall, Anthony Spaulding, Waterhouse, Ferdie Neita, Vere are carpets. So the pitches are ready,” he said. “So come out and watch some good football, where the ball is going to roll for the youths and they can demonstrate their skill,” he added. Lighting has been a sore issue for the PFJL, with many fans complaining that the lighting at most venues, especially when viewed on television or online, is poor. However, Williams said that they have already started addressing the issue and assured that they will eradicate that problem within the next year. “We have to zone in on the pitches and the lighting. Lighting is something we are going to fix this year because we know you don’t want to come out at three o’ clock in the sun hot. So we know we have to put in the lighting, so the games can start at five (p.m.), so you can get nice, cool evenings to watch some football. So give me another year to put in the lighting,” he stated. Nevertheless, he believes Jamaicans have developed an insatiable appetite for local football and called on fans to fill the venues on match days, to make this season’s JPL an even greater experience. “Jamaicans love football. From April Jamaicans have been packing up football games, all premier league games, all national (team) games, so Jamaica is ready. “So I am expecting 250,000 patrons to come through the turnstiles this season, as we want to double what he did last year. So Jamaica come out, it’s going to be non-stop excitement and great football.” The league kicks off this Sunday with four matches. livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com Better playing fields for JPL – Williams Jamaica’s Michail Antonio scoring the winning penalty in the 76th minute during his team’s Concacaf Nations League, League A, Group B fixture against Honduras inside the Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Honduras on Tuesday night. Jamaica won 2-1. @ concacafnationsleague Christopher Williams, chairman of Professional Football Jamaica Limited. f ile SUNDAY GAMES Vere vs MoBay at Wembley Centre of Excellence at 3 p.m. Portmore vs Mt Pleasant at Ferdie Neita Park at 4 p.m. Tivoli vs Molynes at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5 p.m. Arnett vs Dunbeholden at Anthony Spaulding Complex at 7.30 p.m. MONDAY GAMES Harbour View vs Chapelton at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5 p.m. Waterhouse vs Racing at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 7.30 p.m.