Remarkable job
McClaren praises injury plagued squad for workmanlike performance
Published:Wednesday | September 10, 2025 | 12:14 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA SCORED their second successive win in the Concacaf Group B final round of World Cup qualifiers, turning back archrivals Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 at the National Stadium last night.
Goals in either half from Bailey Cadamarteri (36th minute) and Jon Russell (57th) led the way for the Reggae Boyz, who move to six points, two more than Curacao, who defeated Bermuda 3-2 in the group’s other match.
“What we wanted first was to win. We started the game so well. The first 20-25 minutes we had opportunities to score. The first goal is always important and we had luck with the first goal for Trinidad, which was disallowed,” he said
“The first goal was important and we got it and then what we did was kind of control the game, in and out of possession. The win is a great credit to the players because it’s a young team, inexperienced.
“We got many injuries leading up to the camp. Eight regular players have been missing. So to come here with an inexperienced squad and get six points, which is always the goal. Credit to the players and the squad, they have done a remarkable job.”
The Jamaicans did all of the early attacking, in search of a go-ahead goal. But the Trinidadians kept them at bay, despite some early pressure, especially down the left through Renaldo Cephas.
However, Trinidad, who offered very little, if anything, in attack in the early minutes, kept things tight at the back.
Trinidad started to get into the game after the 15th minute and kept the Jamaicans honest and believed they got the opener 30 minutes into the match.
However, the home crowd breathed a sigh of relief when the goal was overturned for offside, after a VAR review.
Jamaica took the lead soon after when Cadamarteri made space in the box and fired a low shot past Denzel Smith in goal for the Trinidadians.
Tyrece Campbell had a great chance to make it 2-0 just before the break, but his tame shot was easily handled by Smith.
The introduction of Kaheim Dixon gave the home team a big boost, and in the 53rd minute the winger’s cheeky flick was headed on by a Trinidad defender and Russell guided the ball past Smith from six yards.
Trinidad thought they had a goal back a few minutes after, but Levi Garcia’s goal was again ruled offside, after another VAR review.
Cadamarteri had a good chance to extend the Jamaicans lead but his weak shot was saved by Smith.
Trinidad must have been cursing their luck after they had another goal ruled out for offside in the 72nd minute, again from the boot of Garcia.
Shamar Nicholson should have made it 3-0 after he was played through by Dixon but he could not keep his shot on target.
Trinidad coach Dwight Yorke said it was not the result they were looking for.
“Clearly the result is not the result we wanted. Its been a bit of a bitter blow for us. We felt we’ve done enough to come away with something from the game. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened and we are leaving Jamaica with empty hands,” he said.