Reggae Boyz go down 2-1 to Serbia despite valiant effort (Video Highlights)
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz lost a spirited encounter with Serbia 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, USA.
Jamaica got off to a rocky start as they faces a crafty Serbian attack. Dusan Tadic scored the opening goal in the 13th minute with a skillful effort. Serbia kept the pressure on and Jamaica conceded a second goal in the 22nd minute as a result of a hard and low shot by Man City left back Aleksander Kolorov on a textbook overlap.
Jamaica made a handful of counter attacks to reassert themselves in the game but continued to find the final ball elusive. Goalkeeper Andre Blake made two crucial saves to keep the scoreline to two as the Boyz weathered Serbia’s attacks.
Jamaica made changes at the half which saw 18 year old Striker Michael Seaton replace Darren Mattocks. The half time team talk seemed to work wonders as Jamaica came out flying in the second half, putting Serbia on their heels. Jamaica’s resurgence was rewarded in the 53rd minute when Kemar Lawrence’s accurate cross found the head of the rising Michael Seaton who headed strongly past Stojkovic.
Jamaica looked for different ways to craft an equalizer as Captain Rodolph Austin tried to loop the ball over the Serbian #1 from a crafty short corner set play in the 58th minute. The effort narrowly looped over the bar.
Goalkeeper Andre Blake made key saves for Jamaica to keep Jamaica within one goal as Jamaica continued to attack.
Stadium footage taken by The Jamaican Blogs™
Simon Dawkins went close to equalizing when he saw his effort whistle just above the crossbar in the 76th minute, much to the relief of the Serbians.
Substitute Hughan Gray bundled over Kolorov on the edge of the box to concede a penalty in the 87th minute. Kolorov stepped up to claim his brace but was denied by an agile stop from Goalkeeper Andre Blake.
The match ended 2-1, however, with an impressive second half display from the Reggae Boyz and strong performances from players such as Blake and Seaton, there are several positives to take away in a match against top draw opposition.
Jamaica look ahead to their next match which is against Switzerland on Friday, May 30th, in Luvern, Switzerland.
The nation will continue to support the Reggae Boyz and hope they can put on a strong display as they travel to Europe for the next few fixtures.
Jamaica’s starting 11 as follows:
#1 Andre Blake (GK)
#5 Alvas Powell (D)
#2 Upston Edwards (D)
#3 Lloyd Doyley (D)
#20 Kemar Lawrence (D)
#16 Chris Humphrey (M)
#17 Rudolph Austin (M)
#14 John Ross Edwards (M)
#15 Joel Grant (M)
#18 Simon Dawkins (F)
#10 Darren Mattocks (F)
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