Free-scoring Reggae Boyz Stun Canada
Late spot-kick winner books Jamaica’s CONCACAF Nations League semi-final showdown with Panama
Bobby Decordova-Reid’s 78th-minute penalty secured Jamaica’s maiden victory on Canadian soil, their shock 3-2 success silencing home fans at Toronto’s BMO Field on Tuesday.
Shamar Nicholson’s sparkling second-half brace also helped to deliver the knockout blow, as the Reggae Boyz bounced back from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to pull off a remarkable win.
Yet it was a nail-biting finale as Demarai Gray saw red on 84 minutes. The Boyz squeezed onto their lead to earn their first CONCACAF Nations League semi-final berth, progressing on away goals after finishing 4-4 on aggregate.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s troops will focus on preparing to tackle Panama in March, with the ongoing bitter rivalry between Mexico and the United States set to continue in the other Nations League semi-final.
Having tasted a slender first leg reversal in Kingston, Jamaica were fully aware of the task at hand if they wanted to remain in the Nations League.
With just under 18,000 vociferous Canadian fans inside the stadium, and the Maple Leafs having kept a clean sheet in three of their previous four games against the Boyz, it needed something rather special from Jamaica to cause an upset.
Canada kicked off oozing with confidence, but Jamaica skipper Andre Blake denied guild-edged chances for hot-shot striker Alphonso Davies and Cyle Larin within the opening quarter-of-an-hour.
The keeper was unfortunate to concede in the 25th minute after swiftly racing off his line in a bid to deal with the danger. His diving right foot save diverted Davies’ effort onto the crossbar, rebounded onto the line before spinning into the gaping goalmouth with Davies and Larin both unmarked and perplexed by the ball’s trajectory.
Leon Bailey, so wasteful in the first leg, again squandered a golden opportunity to score. His left-footed shot stung the crossbar instead of the back of the net on 48 minutes, but set the momentum for an enthralling second half.
Nicholson, plying his trade in the French top-tier with Clermont on loan from Spartak Moscow, gave Bailey a lesson in finishing by turning on the style.
Having scored in Kingston, he nabbed two more goals in the space of five minutes to set the cat among the pigeons and turn the tie in Jamaica’s favour.
Damion Lowe, commanding all evening as an attacking defender, superbly tackled Stephen Eustaquio from behind. He quickly picked out the on-rushing Nicholson, whose thunderbolt gave keeper Milan Borjan no chance for a 62nd-minute equaliser.
With the bit between their teeth, Jamaica looked menacing and Nicholson grabbed his 13th international goal on 66 minutes. Decordova-Reid confidently tackled Ismael Kone from behind, then drove forward on a counterattack. He superbly set up Nicholson, who cleverly slid the ball between approaching Borjan’s legs from close range.
Jamaica’s lead was short-lived as Kone quickly made amends for his glaring error. Following Davies’ poor corner, the striker got a second bite at the cherry. He sent a telling cross into the crowded area, with Kone popping up to head in a 69th-minute equaliser.
Yet the Boyz refused to sit back, instead they kept piling on the pressure. However, the visitors seemed fortunate to win a spot-kick after Lowe’s attempted cross caught Eustaquio’s arm.
Decordova-Reid wrestled back Jamaica’s advantage by burying the ball low into the bottom right corner to bamboozle Borjan and hand the Boyz a lifeline.
With Canada only needing a draw to progress, they were gifted an advantage on 84 minutes. Referee Cesar Ramos gave Demarai Gray his marching orders after brandishing two yellow cards in the space of 90 seconds.
It turned into a frenetic finale, but Canada’s interim head coach Mauro Biello was outsmarted by Hallgrimsson despite his side outshooting the Boyz yet again.
This victory, arguably the best result under head coach Hallgrimsson courtesy of a trio of goals in under 20 minutes, also booked the Boyz a slot at the highly-prestigious 2024 Copa America.
This prized competition will feature South American heavyweights like Argentina and Brazil, and should prove to be a good litmus test for Jamaica.
Panama, who put three goals past Costa Rica in both legs, are Hallgrimsson’s next test. The winner will face Mexico or USA at the 2023-24 Nations League final in Arlington, Texas.
JAMAICA | Blake – Lembikisa, Lowe, Pinnock, Leigh (T.Gray 90) – Decordova-Reid, Johnson, Lautibeaudiere (Hector 45), D.Gray – Nicholson, Bailey (Bernard 90). Subs: Wrayton Phillips, Knight, Stewart, Anderson, Beckford, Russell, Williams, Brown, Waite.
CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
SECOND LEG
Panama 3 Costa Rica 1 (Panama won 6-1 on aggregate)
Canada 2 Jamaica 3 (4-4 on aggregate, Jamaica won on away goals)
Mexico 2 Honduras 0 (2-2 on aggregate, Mexico won 4-2 on penalty shootout)
Trinidad & Tobago 2 USA 1 (USA won 4-2 on aggregate)
CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS
Panama v Jamaica
Mexico v USA
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]