FRANCE 98 – Japan-Jamaica – R. Simoes: “This victory means a lot for the future of football in Jamaica”

“This victory means a lot for the future of football in JAMAICA (Group H), where we have more a tradition for individual sports. I’m proud of the players’ performance. We had a few problems and a few difficulties but I’m especially happy with this win.

I would like to congratulate MEXICO (Group E) for their qualification and their excellent results in the first stage of this World Cup.

In my opinion, JAMAICA, behind ARGENTINA, CROATIA and JAPAN, were the weakest team in Group H. For this last match, we adopted mirror tactics working out our opponent’s strategy and adjusting our own accordingly. In particular, we countered their wingbacks Akira NARAHASHI (2) and particularly Naoki SOMA (3), which allowed us to score the first goal through Theodore WHITMORE (11). We also put someone to mark their playmaker Hidetoshi NAKATA (8) and Hiroshi NANAMI (10) who are particularly dangerous on the end of long balls.

The Japanese can be proud of the very entertaining style with which they played in their three matches. They shouldn’t be embarrassed about their defeat because they have an excellent future before the World Cup in 2002″.