Stop giving up leads – Coach
Hall looks to change game-management deficiencyStill hungry to get a win under his belt
Published:Wednesday | February 2, 2022 | 12:08 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
REGGAE BOYZ head coach Paul Hall has called for better game management from his players when they face Costa Rica in the final Concacaf World Cup qualifying game of this FIFA window at the National Stadium this evening at 7.
Jamaica lost the two previous games of the window to Mexico (2-1) and Panama (3-2) from winning positions and Hall said this inability to hold on to a lead has been the team’s downfall.
Yesterday, Hall told an online press conference that proper game management will be the focus of the team tonight.
“We tried to achieve the win in both the previous games and came up short. So it is game-management shortcomings,” he said.
“I would like to see us manage the game a lot better, especially when we go in front. We want to manage the situation where we don’t allow teams to come back in it.
“If we can go one-nil up in both games and from a winning position find yourself in a losing position, then that is down to game management.
“So we have to address that in the little bit of time that we have. We have to address it when speaking to the players and we have to address it in the game as well,” he commented.
OUT OF THE RUNNING
The two recent defeats saw Jamaica slip one place to seventh in the eight-team table with seven points, which means they have lost ground in the race for a top-four spot and are all but out of the running for qualification.
Costa Rica remain fifth but closed the gap on fourth-place Panama (17 points) to four points.
Hall said the aim is still to come out on the front foot and try to get the three points.
“This is not a great situation to be in but we find ourselves in it. I would like to achieve the win and it is really important that the boys go out there and do it.
“Hopefully, we can get on the front foot being at home and take the game to them. We see what they are about and we know what they can do. They are a good team,” he said of Costa Rica.
“The good thing is that we know about them. We have played them many times over the last six to seven months and we know what to expect.
“I am looking for a good performance and I am looking for the team to manage the game better and improve in that area,” he added.
He said there could also be changes in how the team sets up, but would assess his options at yesterday’s training session before a final decision.
“There are things we can change, like the shape or the structure of the team or we could change the personnel.
“There are a lot of choices there for us. There are people who may not have featured as much who could look to feature.
“But it is about the planning going into the game. When we get into the training session, we will see where we are,” he said.
Meanwhile, defender Damion Lowe will not be available for the game. After review by the FIFA disciplinary committee, he was handed a two-game suspension.
Canada, who lead the standing with 22 points, have already secured qualification. The USA and Mexico are second and third, respectively, with 18 points each.