Reggae Boyz Find Their Rhythm to Cruise Past Venezuela
Darren Mattocks’ 58th-minute strike helped Jamaica register a confidence-boosting success on home soil with a well-fought 2-1 win in Montego Bay on Friday.
The Vancouver Whitecaps hot-shot bagged his seventh goal in 21 appearances just before the hour-mark, after seeing off the close attentions of Oswaldo Vizcarrondo to steer the ball past approaching keeper Daniel Hernandez.
The victory was important for the Reggae Boyz, who had not played since their shock success at capturing the Caribbean Cup at Montego Bay in November, as they prepare for the 2015 Copa America and 2018 World Cup Qualifying competitions.
Venezuela, who eased past the Boyz 2-0 in Montego Bay in their last meeting four years ago, fielded a much-changed side after their back-to-back victories over Honduras last month that was restricted to only home-based players.
La Vinotinto kicked off full of energy and on paper were hopeful of scoring a success over the Boyz with strikers Juan Arango, Christian Santos and Salomon Rondon given a starting berth.
Yet the six-man midfield employed by six-time Caribbean Cup champions Jamaica soon stifled the visitors in the clash of the 2015 Copa America sides and dictated play from start to finish.
However, 13 proved unlucky for the Boyz when against the run of play Gabriel Cichero produced the goal of the game with an outstanding long-range drive which the defender exquisitely looped over the head of shotstopper Dwayne Kerr.
But Jamaica immediately hit back through debutant Giles Barnes. He fended off the challenge of five players to brilliantly drive the ball into the bottom left-hand corner on 15 minutes. The former England U19 international was as impressive in an international shirt as his Houston Dynamo kit in the Major League Soccer (MLS) this term, and looks like being an automatic choice to start matches.
And to tie up the deserved victory, it was lively midfielder Je-Vaugh Watson who set up Mattocks with a speculative pass and the striker was equal to the challenge to slot home just before the hour-mark despite Nantes’ defender Vizcarrondo breathing down his neck as they raced into the area.
With Venezuela coach Noel Sanvicente seeking much-needed success following their recent six-game winless streak, he adjusted his side in the second half but the Boyz’ midfield kept punishing the visitors at every opportunity. And it was only down to the sharpness and aerobatics of keeper Hernandez – who plays in Spain for Tenerife – that helped keep the visitors in the contest.
Yet Venezuela came perilously close to snatching a late equaliser with 10 minutes remaining, but neither Swiss-based Alexander Gonzalez nor Torino star striker Josef Martinez could polish off the goal scoring opportunity in the penalty area.
At the final whistle Jamaica’s fans were as ecstatic as the players with the Boyz registering their first success over a South American side since 2004, and only their second win from six encounters against Venezuela.
Progress has certainly been made by Winfried Schäfer’s side since their 2014 Caribbean Cup victory, and now the supporters have belief in the German coach for the future.
Schäfer has cleverly monitored the players from Jamaica, the MLS and in Europe to bring together a squad that is now brimming with confidence. And he added three players to bolster his original 20-man squad for their friendlies against Venezuela and Cuba – Arnett Gardens FC goalkeeper Peter Harrison, Montego Bay United defender Owayne Gordon and Tampa Bay Rowdies’ midfielder Ricardo Morris all given the nod.
Venezuela will be aiming to bounce back from this defeat when they tackle Peru, another Copa America competitor, on Tuesday while Jamaica host Cuba at Montego Bay on Monday aiming to continue their rich vein of form with new belief in the Boyz.
Jamaica: Kerr; Taylor (Gordon 61), Mariappa, Morgan; McAnuff, Austin (Gray 67), McCleary (Parkes 90), Lawrence, Watson; Mattocks (Grant 79), Barnes. Subs: Harrison, Austin, Gray, Kerr, Morgan, Morris, Powell, Richards, Thompson, D Williams, R Williams
Venezuela: Hernandez; Rosales (A Gonzalez 82), Vizcarrondo, Amorebieta, Cichero; Rincon, Lucena; M Rondon (Guerra 45), Arango, Santos (Vargas 59); S Rondon Subs: Baroja, Fuenmayor, Tunez, Figuera, Anor, Seijas, C Gonzalez