Copa America Nightmares Continue For Jamaica
Mexico defeat sends Reggae Boyz tumbling out of tournament
Jamaica’s interest in the coveted Copa America competition is over for another season, after Mexico scored a 2-0 success at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena on Thursday.Yet it was an enthralling contest, with the Reggae Boyz failing to capitalise on completely dominating the opening half. But they were controversially denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty.
This reversal, their fifth in the competition, means that Winfried Schäfer’s side have never bagged a Copa America goal.And it was accomplished Mexico striker Javier Hernandez who showed his finishing skills to burst the Boyz with a superb 18th-minute header against the run of play.The Bayern Leverkusen hot-shot was replaced late on by Oribe Peralta, who promptly snatched the second strike with nine minutes remaining to end Jamaica’s slim hopes of grabbing a draw.
Miguel Coley, assistant coach to Schäfer, explained: “It’s always important you take your chances. We played as a team, and I applaud the team for that.
“Our expectation for the group was to definitely go to the next round.
“The penalty call, and when we missed the other goalscoring chances, those were important moments.”
Jamaica, who were shocked 1-0 by Venezuela in their timid opening group game, were outsmarted by Mexico in front of 83,263 spectators – the majority enthusiastically supporting El Tri.
And this match was Jamaica’s chance to prove that last year’s Gold Cup final against Mexico was a one-off dismal display, when they were absolutely hopeless due to the exhaustion of competing in the Copa America and a string of tense Gold Cup games.
But it was always going to be a tough cauldron for the Boyz to commence battle, especially as Mexico had chalked up 10 straight wins on the bounce prior to kick-off.
Following a cautious start by both sides, it was Jamaica who got a grip on the game with their trademark counterattacks and physical presence giving them the edge as they burst forward at every opportunity.
Clayton Donaldson proved to be a formidable livewire throughout, but he should have broken Jamaica’s duck in the tournament after seven minutes only to screw his effort wide of the gaping goalmouth.
Although the Boyz were dictating play to deny El Tri much possession, it was Mexico who surprisingly broke the deadlock.
Raul Jimenez’s cross was badly overshot but Jesus Manuel Corona scurried to retrieve the loose ball and beautifully pick out Hernandez.
The 28-year-old sniper rose like a salmon between both central defenders, including the usually unflappable Wes Morgan, to head home his 45th international goal inside the far post that sent the jam-packed stadium wild with celebrations.
Hernandez, who lies only one strike behind Jared Borgetti’s all-time national team record, then strutted his stuff around the pitch with a new-found confidence.
But on the half-hour mark he was maliciously hacked down by Je-Vaughn Watson, the New England Revolution midfielder booked for his troubles.
At the other end Watson fluffed a chance to snatch an equaliser following another swift counterattack, defender Yasser Corona blocking his point-blank range shot.
With the interval fast approaching, the Boyz urgently pressed in a vain attempt to level matters and a frenzied foray around the Mexican goalmouth saw a trio of chances squandered. Jamaica sent seven players forward and appeared just too desperate to complete the task of scoring.
The drama continued on the stroke of half-time when Donaldson went down in the box following an innocuous tackle from Yasser Corona. Despite his appeals for a penalty, the striker was fortunate not to be shown a yellow card for his obvious simulation.
The buoyant Boyz entered the turnaround having controlled the tie, commanded possession, restricted Mexico to just a single shot but having failed where it matters most – in front of goal.
El Tri were fast out of the traps after the interval, turning on the style with six early goalscoring chances before the hour-mark that included a poor finish from the industrious Hernandez and Jesus Manuel Corona constantly guilty of failing to tuck the ball past Andre Blake.
With the match turning the tide and clearly favouring Mexico, with Jamaica unable to find their rhythm, both managers made a change. Jobi McAnuff came off for Portmore United midfielder Binns to make his second substitute appearance in the tournament, while Jesus Manuel Corona was replaced by Manchester United target Hirving Lozano – a 20-year-old attacking midfielder.
And on 64 minutes came the most controversial moment of the match. Yasser Corona sent Donaldson crashing in the area, but penalty appeals were surprisingly waved on by Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio – much to the disgust of furious head coach Schäfer and the rest of the Jamaica bench.
Wily Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio decided to try to keep Jamaica – and especially sniper Donaldson – at bay by bringing on Jesus Molina for Jesus Duenas and then introduce Peralta for Hernandez.
These two changes within five minutes proved inspirational for Mexico, who upset the balance for the Boyz and dominated possession to be immediately rewarded by Peralta’s goal.
He darted onto a poor pass following a long run from Lozano then neatly controlled the ball before sending Blake the wrong way with a left-footed effort inside the far post.
The late strike sealed success for hard-working Mexico and a earned a quarter-final berth at the expense of Jamaica who had only their finishing skills – and an obvious spot-kick turned down – to blame.
But the battling Boyz never gave up, and defender Michael Hector almost snatched what would have been a consolation goal on 84 minutes, his firecracker brilliantly kept out by Ochoa.
The victory extended Mexico’s unbeaten run to 21 games, the longest current record amongst international teams, and made it nine victories to maintain their 100% winning record under head Osorio.
Osorio claimed: “We were superior in front of a great opponent. But if that opponent gets in front of anybody, they will score, so we are very satisfied.”
Venezuela, who stunned Uruguay before this game, have progressed out of the group to the last eight with Mexico.
Deflated Jamaica conclude their Copa America tournament when they tackle Uruguay in the Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara on Monday.
Yet the Boyz have their last chance to finally score a Copa America goal, having ground out 1-0 defeats at last year’s tournament as a learning curve on their debut.
Uruguay are in total disarray and could be the side where Jamaica eventually find their scoring boots.
Jamaica: Blake; Taylor, Hector, Morgan, Mariappa; Watson, Williamson (Orgill 77), McAnuff (Binns 62), McCleary; Barnes, Donaldson. Subs: Kerr, Thompson, Harriott, Solomon Grant, Marsh, Vanzie, Ottey.
Remaining Copa America match for Jamaica: 13 June – Uruguay (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara in California).
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