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Hallgrimsson dismisses Antonio’s failure to score
July 04, 2023
Heimir Hallgrimsson is unconcerned that after three matches in the Concacaf Gold Cup, Reggae Boyz' prized centre forward Michail Antonio is yet to get on the scoresheet, and the coach insists the attacker is unaffected by this inability.
Hallgrimsson pointed out that Antonio is a crucial part of the Jamaican offence by linking attacks and creating chances for others and noted that positive results are what matter.
"I do not mind who scores the goals, and honestly, he (Antonio) doesn't (mind who scores) as well. I am not worried about that," Hallgrimsson stated. "He gives the team a lot of energy going forward, and the opponents always surround him, so he opens space for others."
After three matches, Jamaica have scored 10 goals, the most they have converted in the group phase of the Gold Cup. New boy Demarai Gray leads the scoring charge for the Boyz with two strikes, while three other forwards, Leon Bailey, Dujuan 'Whisper' Richards and Cory Burke, have also scored.
Two midfielders, Jonathan Russell and Daniel Johnson, have found the back of the net and two defenders, Di'Shon Bernard and Damion Lowe. Hallgrimsson is pleased to have goal-scoring threats all over the park, especially in his wingers.
"'It's good when you have players that can score goals as we have. There are a lot of goals in our wingers. There is a goal in 'Whisper' who comes in. Kaheem (Parris) scored or forced an own goal (against St Kitts).
"We have lots of goals in our wingers, and we have Corey, Shamar (Nicholson) and Antonio as strikers, so there are a lot of goals in the Jamaica national team. We need to find the balance, who we can play because we cannot play seven or eight of them," he continued.
Hallgrimsson was unhappy with their slow start against St Kitts and Nevis but was pleased with the players' adjustments and the increased tempo for the second half.
"I do not think we are there as yet. We talk about the attacking power and players and the different players. There is a difference between Cory and Shamar. There is a difference between Antonio and Shamar and Shamar and Cory," Hallgrimsson said.
"We have many versions of strikers. It's the same with the wingers. We have all sorts of wingers, and we can find moments where a player is a better fit than the other one.
"Hopefully, when we get to know them, and we play more together, maybe we can have tactics and players for situations, and we can change the game with rotation or moving players around and don't need substitutions," he continued.
