Reggae Boyz Coach McClaren optimistic despite stalemate against Cuba

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KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC)-NEW Reggae Boyz head coach, Steve McClaren, says his first outing with Jamaica’s senior men’s national football team was a pleasing one despite playing to a 0-0 stalemate with Cuba in their Group A Nations League match at the National Stadium in Kingston on Friday.

The host missed key opportunities to break the deadlock with several chances going begging. Despite Cuba being reduced to 10 men late in the first half, Jamaica couldn’t capitalise, but head coach, Steve McClaren, was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

“We showed good composure and created some good chances,” said McClaren. “It’s disappointing not to get the goal, but the performance gives me confidence going into the next game. We have Honduras on Tuesday, and I’m looking forward to a positive result there.”

Jamaica started brightly, with Kasey Palmer coming close in the 7th minute. After some slick interplay, Palmer unleashed a left-footed volley from the right side of the box, but the ball narrowly missed the top left corner. Two minutes later, Michail Antonio had an even closer chance to give the Reggae Boyz the lead. His powerful header from close range struck the right post and rebounded back into play, leaving the Cuban defence scrambling.

The game tilted further in Jamaica’s favour in the 44th minute when Cuba’s Yunior Pérez was sent off for a dangerous challenge, leaving the visitors to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

However, despite their numerical advantage, Jamaica couldn’t find the breakthrough. Cuba’s Karel Espino nearly punished them in the 60th minute, with a well-taken free kick that sailed just wide of the left post. Jamaica continued to press forward and had a golden opportunity in the 77th minute when Shamar Nicholson found space in the centre of the box. But his effort sailed over the crossbar.

The final statistics show Jamaica having 21 shots, with seven on target and 73 per cent ball possession. With those statistics in toe, McClaren says he has seen enough to know that the team can get it right.

“We created enough chances to win the game,” McClaren admitted. “It’s just that final touch that eluded us tonight. But overall, I’m happy with how we played. The team is gelling well, and we’ll take that confidence into Honduras.”

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