Lawrence promises that the Boyz will get the job done in Nicaragua

Photo: Kemar ‘Taxi’ Lawrence goes high to trap the ball in the World Cup qualifier between Jamaica and Nicaragua. Nicaragua stunned Jamaica 3-2 in the first leg. The second leg will be played on Tuesday in Nicaragua.

Following the shock 3-2 loss by Jamaica to minnows Nicaragua in their World Cup qualifier inside the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Friday night, left back Kemar Lawrence has vowed that the Reggae Boyz will right the wrongs on Tuesday night in the return leg in Managua.

The 52nd ranked team in the world was expected to stroll past the 139th ranked team but found themselves trailing with barely four minutes on the clock and were 2-0 down with less than a quarter of the game played. The home team barely had a shot on target for the entire first half and the home spectators were stunned into silence shortly after the restart when the spunky Nicaraguans went 3-0 ahead.

Jamaica showed character to get back two goals in a late siege on the visitor’s goal, however, Nicaragua go home with a win and 3 away goals and are 90 minutes away from a spot in the semi-final of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

Lawrence who was at fault for the first two goals that Jamaica conceded believes he and his teammates have what it takes to overhaul the deficit and continue on the Journey to Russia.

“We just have to be a bit sharper…definitely in front of goal and definitely defensive wise. I might be the most angry person right now because I am the one that’s always yelling clean sheet and I took the first two as my mistake,” he admitted.

“The focus is just going there (Nicaragua) and win the game, we can’t go there and think about anything else, it’s just going there and winning the game by as much goals as possible. Barnes is a bit upset because he doesn’t play on turf and he won’t be there, so we just have to go out there and put away every chance we get. We are definitely going there to win and progress to the next round,” he concluded.

With a number of first team regulars already missing, the loss of Barnes could be a major factor on Tuesday night. Jamaica must win by two clear goals to advance and the defensive frailties shown on Friday will have to be corrected very quickly while they cope with playing on astro-turf.