The head of Jamaican football feels his national team did not play up to standard on the weekend.
Captain Horace Burrell, President of the Jamaica Football Federation, stated he was underwhelmed by Jamaica’s 2-0 win over Cayman last Sunday.
‘To me the result was disappointing. You can’t outplay a team in every way and have only two goals to show for it. There should have been six clear goals.’
The teams played their international friendly at Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town, in front of some 3,000 people.
Burrell arrived in Grand Cayman Saturday night and left the island on Monday morning.
In Burrell’s eyes the international players on the Jamaica squad made all the difference.
‘The two or three overseas players were a cut above the rest. All the other players play on national premiership teams in Jamaica and should have had something to show for their efforts.’
The biggest names on the Jamaican roster were MLS standout Omar Cummings and European star Rodolph Austin.
Cummings had a hand in both goals on the night. He headed the first and made the key pass for the second. The second goal was scored by substitute Roland Dean.
On the other hand Burrell felt the game was a positive one for Jamaica’s future with Barnes and Whitmore looking in synch.
‘Both have played at a high level and I’m happy to have them together. There’s a high level of mutual respect and they only need to gel and really take Jamaican football to the next level.’
Burrell was quick to say he wasn’t trying to take anything away from Cayman’s play on the night.
‘The performance I saw on the pitch was very encouraging. Based on what I have seen it was a far improved performance for Cayman. The boys showed they were trained and had great tactical awareness.’
Burrell felt that Cayman did extremely well in not folding under the constant pressure of Jamaica.
‘I give kudos to Carl Brown and his staff. When Cayman was being overpowered they did not panic. They were under control and made good passes.
‘The Cayman team is a group of diamonds in the rough. If Cayman smoothes those diamonds they’ll find they can be precious.’
Looking on from the press box perched at the upper levels of the stands Burrell says the country is an interesting one with a national stadium that does justice to its national sport.
‘The Cayman Islands is a very interesting place. It’s a very peaceful society yet one which caters to all people of all ethnic backgrounds. It’s a little paradise to me.
‘I have visited Cayman four times before and this is the best I’ve seen the Truman Bodden stadium. It has a very good surface, the stands are good and overall the facilities are excellent.
‘I commend the government for maintaining the facilities and I encourage all who use it to take good care of it.’
According to Burrell the Jamaican government, in spite of its poor financial state, invests some US $50,000 a month towards the sport.
With Cayman way behind that figure each month, Burrell feels that if Cayman were to match or exceed Jamaica’s contributions then the country could be one of the best in the Caribbean.
‘As I told the Minister of Sports [Alden McLaughlin] the local government should make more allowances for the team to play abroad and get exposure. If Cayman gets it they will be a force in the future.
‘This is one sporting endeavour the Cayman government needs to take seriously.
‘Good things are happening here. If local government heeds my suggestion in the next year or two Cayman can become a force in our region and later in CONCACAF.’
In Burrell’s opinion the future of Cayman football also rests with the development of its youth.
‘I saw a group of youngsters perform extremely well. If the youngsters are given the exposure then Cayman could make a lot of difference and make upsets in the Caribbean.’
The Jamaicans were in town since 3 November and they engaged in numerous training sessions.
They left Cayman early in the week to return to Jamaica. There they will prepare for a World Cup qualifier next Wednesday against Canada.
Thereafter they will play in the final stages of the Digicel Caribbean Championship being held in Kingston, Jamaica.
Cayman Head Coach Carl Brown felt Burrell’s presence was a bonus.
‘It’s good for us. He’s one of the biggest influences for us in the region. You have to remember Burrell was one of the people who helped bring Jamaica back from the bottom to near the top.
‘His comments are good for us as a nation. It shows there are people in our corner that can push for anything [CIFA President] Jeff Webb wants.’
For Webb the presence of the Reggae Boyz and President Burrell in Cayman were good steps forward.
‘It was a great game and a huge success for the association and the national programme. It’s all a huge step for us. All we need now is more support from the public and private sector and more games, say 15-20 per year.’
Ultimately, as much as Burrell would like to guarantee the Reggae Boyz playing Cayman on a consistent basis he says it all boils down to how Cayman does on the field.
‘Jamaica is a far more experienced team. Football is played on the field and not in the boardroom.
‘The Jamaican government sees the importance of the sport despite the fact that Jamaica is a poor country. Cayman meanwhile is an affluent society.
‘Once the Cayman government decides to spend more on the team they’ll see that no other sport can create such a high level of unity that gets across all barriers.’
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