‘BE AMBITIOUS’
‘BE AMBITIOUS’ . McClaren, Bailey confident Boyz can overcome USA challenge in second leg
The Jamaica Observer
MCCLAREN... the process, the tactics, everything is important but if you don’t believe you can win, don’t bother turning up. So, we have to believe; we have to have the confidence to do that (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

IN a game they must win to advance to the semi-finals, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren and winger Leon Bailey say they have to play with belief against hosts United States in the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League (CNL) A quarter-final at Energizer Park in Missouri. Kick off is at 8:00 this evening.

Jamaica’s senior men’s team went down 0-1 on Thursday at the National Stadium, after giving up a fifth-minute goal to Ricardo Pepi.

Jamaica’s Demarai Gray missed a penalty in the 13th minute which could have made honours even.

The defeat pushed Jamaica’s all time record against the United States to 21 losses. They have also been winless in their last eight games versus the Americans.

However, McClaren’s two wins since becoming head coach in July have been away from home, those results coming against Honduras and Nicaragua.

Jamaica, under then Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, also overturned a deficit away to Canada at the same stage last year to book their spot in the Nations League finals.

McClaren says talent and tactics won’t be enough, and urges his team to be brave against Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

“The process, the tactics, everything is important but if you don’t believe you can win, don’t bother turning up. So, we have to believe; we have to have the confidence to do that. It doesn’t matter if we concede a goal because we know we need to score two, so we have to be ambitious and creative,” he said.

“We’ve done that in away games — we’ve been solid, we’ve defended well, and in transitions we’ve been good, which is why we won in Nicaragua and Honduras. When I reflect on the game when we were 2-1 against Canada and won 3-2, there’s resilience in this team. That becomes more apparent in away games, and I want to see that tomorrow. We have to start very well, we have to be on the front foot, and we have players in our squad that can win games — so if we do our job defensively we expect our match-winners to win the game for us.”

Bailey, who made his return to the team on Thursday after a year’s absence, says the team has what it takes to overcome the one-goal deficit.

“Everything is a process, and I believe you just have to keep believing in the process — and if you don’t, it doesn’t make sense,” he said. “Not because you lose one game [means] you [should] make that define everything else that’s been happening. I believe we have to keep believing, showing up, and believing in the process. We’ll bounce back and get results in the future.”

The Boyz will once again be without English Premier League stars Michail Antonio, Ethan Pinnock and Bobby Reid, but have been given a boost with the return of midfielder Ravel Morrison.

As they seek goals McClaren believes Morrison can make a difference with his creativity.

“I’m always looking out for good players and players who can make a difference, handle the ball, big-game players — and Ravel has always been one of them. I worked with him for two years at Derby County and I got to know him well. I like him; he’s got a great personality and a big, unbelievable talent,” he said.

“He wasn’t picked before because he wasn’t playing. All of a sudden he gets a club in Dubai and [has been] playing very well, scoring goals and assisting. I think it’s a perfect game and opportunity for Ravel to come into the squad. This is a big game, and whether he starts or comes on he’s one of those players who can win a game of football.”

Striker Corey Bennett earns a recall to the squad while Kaheim Dixon (travel documents) and Mason Holgate (suspension) will be absent.

The USA will be strengthened by the return of Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronsen, who has recovered from illness, and Juventus forward Tim Weah who missed the first leg through suspension.
Jamaica
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2024-11-18
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McClaren, Bailey confident Boyz can overcome USA challenge in second leg
‘BE AMBITIOUS’