Reggae Boyz battle to 2-2 draw with Egypt

The Reggae Boyz drew a close encounter with the Pharaohs of Egypt 2-2 in today’s International Friendly at the Matchroom Stadium, Londan, England.

Egypt got off the mark first when Mohamed El-Nenny headed home off a set piece in the 5th minute. After a period of Egypt dominance in possession, Jamaica got their bearing and were rewarded in the 27th minute when Simon Dawkins finished off a well placed cross from winger Chris Humphrey.

Jamaica did not rest on their laurels and attacked strongly. Austin burst into the box powerfully in the 34th minute and was taken down. However the referee saw fit to award a free kick to the Egyptians as he judged Austin to have handled the ball upon hitting the ground.
Undaunted, The Reggae Boyz pressed the action and were rewarded with the go ahead goal in the 38th minute. Midfielder Joel Grant weaved his way deftly through the Egyptian back line and added a classy finish to see the Reggae Boyz go 2-1 ahead.

The Reggae Boyz came out strongly in the second half and attacked from an early set piece. Egypt continued to press the attack, primarily through Chelsea new boy Mohamed Salah, putting Jamaica on the back foot. Salah went close in the 49th minute but was stopped well by goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett. Mohamed Salah then let a crucial chance go wide in the 56th minute when it seemed easier to score.

Egypt continued to pile on the pressure but were frustrated time and time again by an organized Jamaican defence. Egypts attacking pressure paid off in the 72nd minute when Salah lofted a cross into a dangerous area and substitute striker Bassin Morsi headed past Barrett. Appeals for offside fell upon deaf ears as the goal was awarded.

The match ended 2-2, with the Reggae Boyz unlucky not to win. Another solid display against top class opposition. The Reggae Boyz can build on this result when they take on European giants France on Sunday, June 8th, 2014 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France at 2:00pm Jamaica Time.