Schafer sounds trumpet
Jamaica ObserverBoyz coach says unfit players better shape up, or ship outPlayers wishing to be a part of Winfried Schafer's Reggae Boyz squad had better be prepared to raise their fitness levels to international standards, minimise their mistakes during the learning curve, exhibit leadership skills and most importantly, learn from their mistakes.
That was the German's frank review of his team's 0-2 loss to Trinidad and Tobago here at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Tuesday night. Finnish-based player Ataulla Guerra struck in the 49th minute and captain Kenwyne Jones secured victory with a 73rd minute penalty.
"The players must watch the DVDs of the games and learn from their mistakes," Schafer told the Jamaica Observer at game's end.
He readily admitted that he needs matches to evaluate the players, "so that the players can learn, minimise their mistakes and become better players", he emphasised.
He said he will compile a CV of all players "to assess what is good and what is bad about each player".
"After a few weeks, we watch him again to see if he wants to learn and if not, he's out (of the programme)", the coach added.
The former Cameroon national team coach was also unimpressed with the fitness level of a few players and has promised to work with the local clubs and the national team's physical trainer Andre Waugh to try to get those players up to speed.
"I was not happy about two players who were tired after 10 minutes. They need to work hard and fight for their team," he said. "It is not easy to play at the international level... the fitness is not very high to play at this level.
"I need to talk with our fitness coach and get many of these players to him to assess their fitness, and if their fitness does not improve, then they have to go out," he warned.
Tuesday night's victory gave Trinidad and Tobago a clean sweep of the two-game friendly international series after Guerra struck in the fifth minute for a 1-0 win at the Montego Bay Sports Complex last Friday night.
Prior to kick-off, a minute's silence was observed out of respect for the passing of the son of former Reggae Boyz head coach and star player Theodore Whitmore. Also, Port Vale midfielder Christopher Birchall, who scored an important goal against Bahrain in the 2006 World Cup Qualifying play-off which helped his team to Germany, was recognised as he officially brought the curtains down on his international career.
Another veteran, Carlos Edwards, of Ipswich Town, was also recognised for his service to Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors.
Trinidad and Tobago went ahead when Guerra was allowed the luxury of cutting inside from the left flank deep into the Jamaica defensive third, and dribbled to the centre of the penalty area before unloading a powerful low drive into the corner of the goal.
It was from a similar situation that the hosts earned their second goal as Jones and Rundell Winchester combined neatly on the left before the latter wiggled past his marker to dart laterally inside the box. Alvas Powell, who had confidently thwarted the threat from Jones, came across too late and could only bring down the player giving Surinamese referee Enrico Winjgaarde no choice but to point to the spot.
Jones made no mistakes, which made amends for a clear missed chance early in the first half when he skied a right-sided cross from inside the six-yard box.
Schafer was pleased with most of the Reggae Boyz' offering in the first half.
"First half they got only one chance from Jones, we played compact and we had about three chances with Adrian (Reid), Watson (Je-Vaughn) and a clear penalty from Omar (Daley), but our problem is our inability to finish at goal, this is what is missing from our team," he said, struggling to contextualise his thoughts.
"The first goal from Trinidad, that is what I have asked from Jason (Johnson) to cut inside and shoot, but he goes inside and instead of shooting, he tends to move away from goal. But it is okay, he is one player who needs more time for training.
"Second half we changed a defender because Upston (Edwards) was injured and that was a big problem. Seaton (Michael) was tired and we took off Jason for Mattocks (Darren), but he got injured shortly after.
"This time it was not bad (for the team), but the goal was a stupid goal because I asked that Adrian and Omar support each other, but Omar was too far away to support Adrian, and this shouldn't be possible."
The coach noted that after the goal the game became much more difficult for his charges, and the problem was compounded as nobody tried to shoot at goal, and the few set pieces resulted in poor deliveries into the penalty area.
The Boyz had a decent shout for penalty waved off in the first half when Daley robbed Edwards, who dallied on the ball for far too long, deep into the Trinidadian defensive third. Daley raced inside the penalty area from the left, and instead of relaying a pass to the unmarked Seaton who was in a clear position to score, he held onto the ball even as the retreating Edwards pulled him to the turf.
Schafer also lamented the lack of leadership skills in the group. He admitted that he wanted to incorporate Rodolph Austin and Wes Morgan into this side, but both players were unavailable.
"The leaders give the other players confidence," he said, but was quick to add that "we will have a good team in the future, we have talented players, but they need to work much harder, and learn as they go along. Talent is not all."
Teams:Jamaica - (13) Richard McCallum, (2) Upston Edwards (3, Dicoy Williams 46th), (5) Alvas Powell, (19) Adrian Reid, (20) Kemar Lawrence, (6) Jermaine Woozencraft, (15) Je-Vaughn Watson, (16) Omar Daley, (
Michael Seaton (11, Darren Mattocks 46th, 18, Jermaine Anderson 59th), (9) Jason Johnson (12, Brian brown 46th), (17) Deshorn Brown (14, Andrew Vanzie 85th).
Subs not used: (1) Gariece McPherson, (4) Montrose Phinn
Booked: Anderson (76th)
Trinidad and Tobago - (21) Jan Michael Williams, (2) Aubrey David, (4) Daniel Cyrus, (
Joevin Jones, (11) Carlos Edwards (16, Curtis Gonzalez 88th), (7) Christopher Birchall (5, Kevan George 70th), (9) Kenwyne Jones (15, Trevin Ceasar 80th), (10) Ataulla Guerra, (14) Andre Boucaud (18, Densil Theobald 82nd), (12) Lester Peltier (13, Rundell Winchester 28th), (19) Carlyle Mitchell (6, Radanfah Abu Bakr 74th).
Subs not used: Cleon John
Booked: Cyrus (45th), Boucaud (55th)
Referee: Enrico Winjgaarde (Suriname)
Assistant Referees: Ainsley Rochard (T&T), Caleb Wales (T&T)
Fourth Official: Neil Brizan (T&T)
Match Commissioner: Carl Joseph (T&T)
Referee Assessor: Lynda Bramble (T&T)
