BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa:

Jamaica's coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore was a happy man, following the senior national football team's 0-0 draw with South Africa, in their friendly international match at the Free State Stadium (Vodacom Park) last night.

"I'm very happy with the 0-0 draw and that's good for us," he said.

"We played in patches, especially in the second half. I think we could've kept possession a bit more in both halves," he assessed, adding that the Reggae Boyz "gave up some chances because we weren't working as a unit. Players were misplaced at times."

That was the case mostly in the first half hour, when the homesters dominated against a Jamaica team that gave up much room while defending deeply inside its half.

To make matters worse, the Jamaica team was not marking or tracking properly, allowing a listless South Africa team to make some dangerous advances towards goal.

Twice, goalkeeper Dwayne Miller was called upon to make big saves, at the 10th minute and the 25th when he deflected shots from Katlego Mphela, at point blank range; and Kagisho Dikgacoi, who thundered a 25-yard free kick on goal.

Jamaica were less of an offensive threat as they had one striker stationed upfront, Devon Hodges, who was not always joined in attack quickly when the team sough to attack in transition, mainly through counter-attacks.

They appeared rather unsettled at the start and made a number of poor and ill-advised passes. As the team settled, they played more constructively but were largely better at possession within the back of the pitch.

Despite this, Jamaica also created two very good scoring chances.

One formed the basis of a controversial refereeing decision, as Dane Richards kicked the ball past the goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez and it appeared to have crossed the goal line before Bafana Bafana's captain, Aaron Mokoena, scurried to clear the ball.

"It was close. I thought it had scored, I was running off to celebrate," said Richards. 'I'd like to see the replay."

Whitmore thought the same.

He said: "I'm almost sure that ball that Dane Richards kicked went across the line."

The subs and stoppages for injuries were major components of a very dull second half and South Africa coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira was clearly not amused, choosing to have a go at Jamaica for what he termed negative tactics, than admit to his team's inability to break down an opponent intent on not giving away anything.

"There was no second half at all. The game was difficult, it was difficult to penetrate. They played with eight or nine players behind the ball and only number five (Hodges up front," he observed. "This team did not come with the attitude to win today, they only came to draw."

Insinuating the Jamaicans were using delay tactics with substitutions and faking injuries, the Brazilian added: "If you squeezed the second half there wasn't 15 minutes of playing time."

Whitmore countered saying "both teams had agreed to six substitutions apiece" and they were intent on winning.

"We came here for a win. This is the national team and we've to restore some pride. Every time we put on the national shirt we've a winning goal."

He added: "We've young players in our squad. We've young players like Navion Boyd of Tivoli who are doing well for their club. We're in a rebuilding phase. At what point are they going to get a chance to play if not now," he asked rhetorically. "These are the games in which we've to use them."