Reggae Boyz aim to snap losing streak

Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

SUNRISE, Florida:

Jamaica will look to snap a nagging three-game losing streak tonight when they take on Colombia in a friendly football international at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. Jamaica time).

The Reggae Boyz are still smarting from a 5-2 spanking by Ecuador last Friday in Quito, which followed a 1-0 away defeat to China on August 10 and a 2-0 body blow by the United States, which knocked Jamaica out of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup in June.

While there appears to be no immediate panic or signs of desperation in Jamaica's camp here, with the country's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign not set to kick off until next year, both coaches and players recognise what could develop into a worrying trend and realise they must nip the losing habit in the bud.

"The players understand," said head coach Theodore Whitmore yesterday prior to the team's final practice session, which did not take place at the stadium as is customary the day before a game due to the US Labour Day holiday, but on the team hotel's ground here.

"We (the coaching staff) have kept meetings with them. They (the players) have kept their own meeting and realised the situation we're in and the direction we want to go."

Substandard effort

Whitmore was not happy with the "attitude" of some players against Ecuador, which reflected in Jamaica's substandard effort, especially in the first half. Several explanations have been offered for the current run of negative results, including the rotation of players, allowing new faces a chance to show what they can do, and adverse playing conditions, especially the high altitude in Quito. But the Jamaican contingent admits a quick turnaround is needed and Colombia could be the solution.

"At this stage, they are not positive results," captain Shavar Thomas said of the recent losing run yesterday, "but at the same time we have a few players in and out of the squad, where (it) changes the dynamics of the team. But it is not something we are definitely worried about. We are aware of that (the losing streak) and we want to improve.

"We don't want (losing) to become a habit."

It will be a difficult one to break against Colombia, which is experiencing a good vein of recent form. They beat Bolivia and Costa Rica, and drew with Argentina, before losing to Peru in the recent Copa America championships which features South America's finest teams. Last Saturday, Colombia blanked Honduras 2-0, a team Jamaica beat 1-0 in the Gold Cup.

Personal business

Some Boyz from the Ecuador match will not face Colombia, including promising JeVaughn Watson, who reportedly returned to Jamaica to sort out personal business.

New faces, like local-based Errol Stevens and Ewan Grandison, will be in tonight's squad, with Stevens being a possible starter. Jamaica have also added veteran reinforcements to tackle the South Americans including Lovel Palmer, Jermaine Taylor, Omar Daley and Jason Morrison, who were not available for the Ecuador match, but joined the team here.

Other seasoned players like Dane Richards, Omar Cummings, Rodolph Austin, Adrian Reid, and Ryan Johnson will also suit up.

Yet, Jamaica is not sure what after-effects will remain from the high altitude game in Quito - played at 9,000 feet above sea level - tonight.

"Altitude definitely has detrimental effects on anyone," explained team doctor Carlton Fraser, who described the players as being in "a daze" during the first half against Ecuador. "Yes, there will be lingering effects (tonight)."

Fraser said he is giving the players several treatments, including "supplementals", to help repair damaged tissue, plus increasing their hydration in preparation for tonight, although the altitude will not be a factor. Temperatures are expected in the 90s with the possibility of rain.

The real test for the Boyz will be mental, as they seek to rebuild a winning attitude.

Thomas is adamant that the losing streak will not alter Jamaica's focus against Colombia, especially with next year's qualifiers looming and places in the team still up for grabs.

"This is an opportunity for everyone to be thought of in the realm of the World Cup qualifiers," he said. "I don't see that (the losing streak) dampening our spirits going forward. It is a learning experience, but at the same time I don't want to say I am not taking it seriously. We want to make winning a habit. So the players know what to do, and what better way to do than against Colombia."

The urgency to win is palpable among the squad.

"It (losing) is not really a big, big problem now," said Reid, "but it needs to be fixed like right now."

However, Cummings, who along with Demar Phillips scored against Ecuador, believes the streak can be used as a positive spin.

"It could make the team stronger," said Cummings. "Sometimes we need to wake up and we need to put in better performances. You don't want to get that streak where you lose this game, lose that game and it seems like nothing. Everybody is taking it seriously."

Whitmore understands that piled-up losses can send Jamaica plummeting in the FIFA rankings, making it difficult for the Boyz to secure quality opponents. But he, too, has an eye on the bigger prize, which he believes is Jamaica's true target.

"The result is important," the coach said, "but we have to remember the main objective."