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Reggae Boyz dream still alive PREMIDICTOR Saturday October 11, 2008 |
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Ricardo Fuller (file) |
The Reggae Boyz kept their World Cup hopes alive with an exciting and tense 1-0 win over Mexico during their CONCACAF World Cup Group B Qualifier at the National Stadium last night. Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller scored the all-important goal in the 14th minute when his left-footed shot beat goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez all end up. It was Fuller's sixth goal for his country and the most important for the 28 year-old whose goalscoring record for the national team has not been good. Jamaica with their first win of the campaign and with two more home games against Honduras and Canada, are bubbling with confidence of snatching one of two spots in the final round. |
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Jamaica, which reached their lowest FIFA world ranking ever of 116, scored one of their biggest wins against a team ranked 24th in the world Jamaica after securing only one point in the three previous encounters, moved to four points from four games, while Mexico stayed on top with nine points. Jamaica drew their opening game against Canada 1-1 but lost 0-3 and 0-2 to Mexico and Honduras away from home. As a result, technical director Brazilian Rene Simoes was fired and replaced by interim coach Theodore Whitmore. Former England international, Jamaican-born John Barnes will take control of the team on November 1. It was a discipline performance by the Boyz as they weathered the Mexican storm especially in the second half and credit must be given to goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts who made some breathtaking saves to keep the Mexicans at bay. In front of approximately 30,000 fans the Reggae Boyz, must have been inspired by the presence of triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt, and came out of the blocks flying. The Reggae Boys were more aggressive and quicker to the ball than their Mexican counterpart and seize the early initiative through captain Ricardo Gardner, Rudolph Austin, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Fuller, Shelton, Tyrone Marshall, Ian Goodison and Claude Davis.
But it was Mexico's Fernando Arce who took the first meaningful shot in the 5th minute, which went just wide of the upright. Jamaica responded in style and Gardner's curling freekick was hurriedly punched away by Sanchez. The signs were there and it was not surprising when Fuller opened the scoring. He collected a ball just outside the box and with top defender Rafael Marquez of Barcelona closing him down, he let fly a left-footer that sailed over Sanchez's head as the stadium erupted in ecstasy. Pandemonium broke loose as Jamaica's World Cup was alive. New technical director John Barnes, was on his feet clapping in delight and must have been happy with what he has seen. But as expected the Mexican came roaring back, Carlos Vela of Arsenal, Giovani Dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspurs), Carlos Salcido and company tried to get back in the game but to no avail. However, it was a tense final 20 minutes as Jamaica went into defensive mode and when the final whistle came, it couldn't have come sooner. The stadium erupted in joy. It was Jamaica's second win over the regions top team following their 1-0 win 11 years ago when Goodison headed home in the 81st minute.
Jamaica will play Honduras on Wednesday in another must win situation. The top two teams from the group will advance to the semi-final round involving six teams. The top three teams in the finals round would then qualify for the 2010 World Cup, and the No 4 nation goes to a play-off against the fifth-place team in South America for another berth.
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