Demar Phillips (right) evades two Chilean opponents during Tuesday night's friendly match at the National Stadium. Chile won 1-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

JAMAICA'S TECHNICAL director, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, lauded winger Demar Phillips for his outstanding performance against South American side Chile at the National Stadium on Tuesday night.

"He played a very good game," said Milutinovic, who took over the reins as technical director from Wendell Downswell last November. "I am very happy to have somebody like him in the team because he is a good player so that's the reason why he is with us."

Milutinovic was speaking at the post-game press conference after his side lost a keenly fought encounter 1-0.

Phillips said after the game that he was delighted with his performance and hoped to maintain his place in the side for next year's World Cup qualifiers.

Dazzling skills

"I have to continue to train hard and go out there to do my best for my country whenever I get the chance to play because I know I am going to be successful," said Phillips, who represents Waterhouse in the National Premier League.

Phillips, who has played in Jamaica's last four practice matches, delighted the home crowd with his dazzling dribbling skills down the left flank and his off-the-ball movement which created a number of openings for the Reggae Boyz after they went behind early in the first half.

He also delivered a number of accurate crosses which the strikers failed to capitalise on.

"The team played good tonight but we weren't finishing the chances whenever we got them. All of us really gave of our best, but it's just one of those nights that we did not score," Phillips said.