‘We didn’t execute’! Speid dissects Reggae Boyz defeat

Rudolph Speid described Jamaica’s 0-1 defeat to Honduras as a “big setback,” leaving the Reggae Boyz with little margin for error in their bid to advance from Concacaf Nations League A Group B.

Keyrol Figueroa’s 14th-minute goal was enough to settle Monday’s contest at the National Stadium, handing Honduras its first victory over Jamaica in nine meetings spanning 13 years.

In other League A Group B results, Suriname edged Martinique 2-1, and Guatemala defeated El Salvador 6-0.

The loss leaves Jamaica on three points, level with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, while Suriname sits alone at the top with six points from two matches. Martinique remain at the bottom without a point.

“It is a big setback. It means we have to win all our games to qualify from this stage. So it’s going to be tough, and going away will make it even harder for us,” Speid said.

Jamaica’s next assignment comes Friday against El Salvador.

Energy and execution missing

The defeat followed a disjointed performance in which Jamaica struggled to impose its game plan, particularly after falling behind.

Speid pointed to fatigue after several players were used in both matches within a three-day period.

“We didn’t start so well. We were chasing the game for the first quarter hour, and then we conceded the goal, and then we started to play better, but I thought we were just off. We didn’t execute as we planned.”

The coach said Jamaica lacked the energy required to match Honduras.

“Maybe it was just legs, with the people who started the last match we repeated them. We were a bit lethargic, and we allowed Honduras to dominate the game in the first half, especially.”

He added: “It wasn’t (the performance I expected). Energy-wise, we were not really there. We were behind Honduras, who wanted it more and played harder than we were playing, and I think that decided the game.”

Injuries add to Jamaica’s problems

Jamaica’s plans were disrupted as early as the 12th minute when Renaldo Cephas left the field with a leg injury and was replaced by Tyreece Campbell.

The Boyz were already without striker Rumarn Burrell, who Speid confirmed will return to England for treatment. Ronaldo Webster also picked up a significant knock.

All of the injured players are expected to be assessed before Friday’s match in El Salvador.

Cephas’s departure, Speid acknowledged, forced Jamaica to alter its attacking approach.

“It did (affect us). We were expecting him to put on a good performance, using his speed and guile. When he went down, we had to change tactics and made some adjustments, which probably were not as effective.”

With injuries accumulating and fatigue becoming a concern, Speid said squad rotation could be necessary.

“Yes (energy level is a concern), it is, but we have a big squad. It is possible we might have to allow other players with more energy to play. We will have to be rotating the squad. So it is something we are going to look at.”

Dixon, Freckleton provide positives

Despite Jamaica’s struggles, Speid singled out Kaheim Dixon for his work on both sides of the ball, although he acknowledged that the winger was not as influential as he had been previously.

“Kaheim had a very good game. He worked hard both in defence and in attack. He attacked his wing-back a lot, and I thought he had a good game. He just wasn’t as effective as the last game.”

Miguel Freckleton also earned praise after entering from the bench.

“Freckleton came in and did extremely well. He has just told us he belongs here, and that is one of the positives to take away from the game.”

Patience needed against deep defenses

Speid said Jamaica’s problems extended beyond energy and execution, pointing to the team’s shape and its inability to break down Honduras when the visitors defended in a low block.

“Almost everything needs to be improved on. Our performance wasn’t so good, and when we dropped into a low block, the team was still finding ways through. I think we were too wide apart, and we need to be much tighter.”

He also called for greater patience in possession.

“When teams fall into the low block, we will have to be very patient. That was the main reason we did not penetrate them. We were not patient enough to just keep the ball and look for good opportunities. We were rushing the game a bit, and I think that contributed to us not scoring a goal.”

Speid said Jamaica would now have to absorb the defeat, examine what went wrong and quickly turn its attention to the remaining matches.

“Football is a game you have to learn to live with the wins, the losses, and the draws. We will have some soul-searching with the team, and then we move on.”

With Suriname leading on six points and four teams clustered on three, Jamaica’s route forward has become considerably more demanding.