Jamaica boss looking for improvement

Jamaica coach Carl Brown admits his team must sharpen up in defence as they prepare to take on the Republic of Ireland.

Brown’s side face the Irish in the final match of the three-team Unity Cup tournament at The Valley tomorrow.

Brown wants to see improvement after goals from John Utaka and Bartholomew Ogbeche saw them beaten 2-0 by Nigeria yesterday.

“It is true that we have problems in defence,” said Brown. “The first goal clearly stemmed from an error in that area of the field.

“But you can only build a house with the material that you have and, unfortunately, defence is the area where we have the least talent.”

Brown can draw consolation from the fact that his team are unlikely to meet opposition as accomplished as Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers.

Jamaica are one of the strongest teams in the CONCACAF region, from which they will seek to reach Germany in 2006.

But it is when Brown’s defence come up against players possessing the class and pace of Utaka and Ogbeche that they are found wanting.

“We get away with poor defending from time to time because we do not play quality teams like the Nigerians every day,” Brown admitted.

Jamaica were also profligate at the other end of the field against Christian Chukwu’s team.

Claude Davis, Marlon King and Ricardo Gardner all missed chances, but Brown does not feel there is a problem with the Jamaican attack.

“I do not think that our finishing is a major concern,” he said.

“We have scored six goals in our last three matches, so that suggests we are okay in attack.

“But we also played against a quality defensive unit, and that is something we must learn from.”

Despite Jamaica’s defeat, they were cheered throughout the match by their vociferous supporters.

Striker Kevin Lisbie, who plays his club football at The Valley for Charlton, was quick to praise the Caribbean contingent that turned up to watch their team in action.

Lisbie is now hoping Jamaica can count on similar enthusiasm from the public against Ireland.

“As someone who plays in England, I know how important it is for the crowd to get behind you,” said Lisbie.

“Unfortunately, they were not able to lift us to a win here, but there is no doubt that they give us something extra.”