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Jamaica Turn Back Guatemala 2-0 nil PREMIDICTOR 21/11/2007
Jamaica made it two from two with a convincing 2-0 win over Guatemala in a International Friendly game at the National Stadium last night. Goals by Ricardo Fuller and Omar Daley in the 10th and 22nd minutes respectively pushed Jamaica to an easy win as the Reggae Boyz preparation to South Africa 2010 continued on a positive note.
The new Captain Horace Burrell-led Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) must be quite happy with what has transpired so far after defeating El Salvador on Sunday 3-0. The Jamaicans, just as they did against El Salvador, took control early and never looked back in a dominating performance. Interim coach Theodore Whitmore juggled his team after three starters from the first game returned to the English clubs. Bolton’s Ricardo Gardner, Damion Stewart of Queen’s Park Rangers, Barnsley’s Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Jermaine Johnson of Bradford City missed yesterday’s game. But there was a recall for veteran Tranmere defender Ian Goodison, who was playing for the Reggae Boyz for the first time in three years. In fact, Goodison who celebrated his 35 birthday yesterday, was playing against the same team he made his debut against in 1996. He did not score as he did on his debut but he was quite competent at the heart of the defence.
Jamaica turned in another dominating display in front of approximately 12,000 fan and immediately Omar Daley of Bradford, broke free in the second minute down the right flank but his cross was well held by the goalkeeper Luis Molina. Two minutes later Luton Shelton ho plays for Sheffield United, got the first real chance of opening the scoring, but he headed down into the ground and over the bar. But it didn’t take the Reggae Boyz much longer to get on the scoresheet. The lively Stoke City striker Fuller, blocked a defender’s clearance, showed good pace to get by another player before calmly chipping the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Molina in the 10th minute. Jamaica continued to dominate and Christopher Jackson and Demar Phillips combined well down the left flank to open up the Guatemala backline but Jackson’s searching cross couldn’t find a Reggae Boy.
Striker Shelton was replaced by Dane Richards in the 20th minute after picking up a knock earlier. However, the fans didn’t had to wait long as in the 22nd minute, the impressive central midfielder Rudolph Austin found Daley down the right flank and the Bradford City midfielder cut inside his defender before calmly firing home to double Jamaica’s lead. Richards, who plays for New York Red Bull in the USA showed good pace and skill and might have thought he earned a penalty in the 27th minute after wheeling his way inside the box.
Midfielder Oneil Thomspon who plays for Notodden Fotballklubb of Norway, then dragged a left-footer wide from just outside the box then Richards found himself with a free header and couldn’t hit the target from a Daley’s corner kick. Jamaica continued to dominate the second half and was never in danger as their Latin American opponent offered little in attack. A Thompson header in the 51st minute from a corner kick, sailed across the goal begging for a touch. Richards whose pace has been troubling the Guatemalan defence all night broke free down the right flank and played a perfect ball into the path of Phillips who miraculously kicked high from close range. It should have been 3-0. Moments later Austin’s pile driver whistled just wide of the upright. Everytime Austin collects the ball, the crowd buzzes with expectation of a torrid shot. He certainly made his mark with that tremendous goal on Sunday against El Salvador. The Jamaicans ranked 103 by FIFA completed the two match series impressively and the confidence in the players and the fans must certainly be back days before the World Cup Qualification drawings take place.
Jamaica — Donovan Ricketts, Oneil Thompson, Rodolph Austin, Christopher Jackson (Wolry Wolfe 60th), Ian Goodison (Sean Fraser 63rd), Tyrone Marshall, Shavar Thomas (Demar Stewart 45th), Omar Daley (Ricardo Geddes 60th), Demar Phillips, Luton Shelton (Dane Richards 20th), Ricardo Fuller. Subs not used: Richard McCullum, Dwayne Kerr, Rafi Wolfe, Khari Stephenson, Damion Williams, Fabian Taylor Booked: Goodison 59th, Thompson 83rd
Guatemala — Luis Molina, Gustavo Cabrera, Yony Flores, Nestor Martinez, Leonel Noreiga (Saul Matta 54th), Rigoberto Gomez (Serlvin Motta 26th), Dwight Pezzarossi (Transito Montepeque 70th), Claudio Alvisuris, Fredy Thompson, Carlos Quinonez, Lester Ruiz (Cotto Aroldo 35th). Subs not used: Paulo Motta, Willie Sims, Saul Matta Booked: Serlvin Motta 59th, Claudio Alvisuris 65th
Referee: Alfredo Whittaker (Cayman Islands)
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