Bell Chimes as Reggae Boyz Return to Gold Cup Semi-finals
Odds lie in Mexico’s favour against rejuvenated Jamaica for Las Vegas showdown
Amari’i Bell’s first international goal booked another CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final berth for Jamaica, following their 1-0 success over surprise package Guatemala 1-0 last night (July 9).
The Luton Town defender, who will be plying his trade in the English Premier League (EPL) this season, polished off Demarai Gray’s pinpoint pass to make a vital 51st-minute breakthrough.
Thanks to a string of spectacular saves from Andre Blake, who brilliantly fended off a second-half surge, Jamaica will appear in their fourth Gold Cup semi-final after securing their fifth victory over Guatemala in the coveted competition.
Next up for the Reggae Boyz are old foes Mexico, who are seeking a ninth Gold Cup trophy. The sides will lock horns at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Thursday, a repeat of the 2015 Gold Cup final, with the winner set to tackle either passionate Panama or the relatively inexperienced United States team.
Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson arrived at the Gold Cup under immense pressure, having failed to clinch a victory in the build-up since being installed in January. He has since steered the Boyz to within two minutes of stunning the experimental United States side, and followed up the 1-1 stalemate with a hat-trick of triumphs
Having easily disposed of minnows Trinidad & Tobago and then St. Kitts & Nevis in back-to-back goal feasts, Hallgrimsson reverted to a solid 4-4-2 formation. The more familiar faces started, with an EPL frontline of Michail Antonio and Jamaica newcomer Gray, at the boisterous QL Stadium in Cincinnati.
Guatemala, who stunned in-form Guadeloupe 3-2 in their previous outing to top their group, came out firing on all cylinders and started with the intention of unsettling the Boyz.
Damion Lowe surprisingly gave the ball away, gifting Rubio Rubin. The no.9 raced towards goal, only to unleash his effort from the edge of the area straight into the safe hands of Blake on six minutes.
Leon Bailey wasted Jamaica’s first chance five minutes later. Surrounded by players just outside the box, he turned on a sixpence but tamely glided his shot over the gaping target.
Gray then inexplicably scuppered his goal-scoring opportunity, guiding the ball across the face of the jam-packed goalmouth to end up at the corner flag. A weak on-target effort from Bobby Decordova-Reid, easily collected by keeper Nicholas Hagen.
At the other end Blake was untroubled by Aaron Herrera’s ambitious volley that sailed over the crossbar, when a controlled shot from the defender could have caused trouble.
With the Boyz pressing forward Gray picked out on-rushing Damian Lowe, who tried a spectacular finish with a half-hearted scorpion kick, midway through the half. This was followed by Di’Shon Bernard’s close-range drive, blocked by Herrera on the line for a corner, and frustration set in for the unattached defender — recently released by Manchester United — to be booked on the half-hour mark.
End-to-end action saw Oscar Castellanos fire the ball straight at Blake then Antonio attempted to score a rare goal from outside the area but sliced the ball wide.
After Kevon Lambert was booked during first-half added time, Hallgrimsson wisely replaced him with Daniel Johnson after the turnaround to shake things up as his troops were being stifled.
This change swiftly paid dividends. Gray’s perfect pass into the area saw Bell intuitively blaze the ball low into the bottom left corner for the lead.
Guatemala immediately bounced back, producing a series of dangerous plays to leave the defence chasing shadows and Carlos Mejia coming close to an equaliser just before the hour-mark.
With the Boyz buzzing, Bailey almost doubled their lead but was denied by Hagen’s reaction save.
It was at the other end that Jamaica were busiest throughout the second-half. Only the brilliance of Blake saved Jamaica’s blushes as Guatemala relentlessly pushed for an equaliser, and the keeper remarkably pushed away Alejandro Galindo’s header with 10 minutes remaining.
The Guatemala players despondently dropped to the ground at the final whistle, and shortly after it was announced that head coach Luis Fernando Tena would leave his role despite a tremendous Gold Cup showing.
It was Hallgrimsson who kicked off the Gold Cup with his position under scrutiny after a lengthy winless run. He also received criticism for his Gold Cup 23-player squad that sports just three recognised midfielders.
The former Iceland chief admitted: “We were rushing when defending. We were trying to win the ball individually instead of collectively.
“The same when we had possession, it was too much individual instead of collective. We should have passed the ball quicker to make them run instead of dribbling too much.”
Yet it appears that the Boyz are back in business, after failing to reach the semi-finals two years ago. They will tackle Mexico inside the Allegiant Stadium, home to American Football giants Las Vegas Raiders.
Jamaica will be seeking revenge after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in their inaugural Gold Cup final eight years ago.
This contest will be a chance for Hallgrimsson to pit his wits against Mexico interim head coach Jimmy Lozano, with the victor earning a place in Sunday’s final against either Panama or the US and a chance to claim silverware.
JAMAICA | Blake – Bell, Bernard, Lowe, Brown (Lembikisa, 64) – Bailey (Burke, 84), Lambert (Johnson, 45), Latibeaudiere, Decordova-Reid – Antonio (Nicholson, 77), Gray. Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Richards, Parris, Mariappa, Lawrence, Russell, Waite
CONCACAF GOLD CUP
Quarter-finals (9 July)
Mexico 2 Costa Rica 0
Jamaica 1 Guatemala 0
Panama 4 Qatar 0
USA 2 Canada 2 (USA won 3-2 on penalties)
Semi-finals (13 July)
Mexico v Jamaica (Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas)
Panama v USA (Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego)
Final (16 July)
Mexico/Jamaica v Panama/USA (SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles)
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