FIFA World Cup
Jamaica stuns Mexico 1:0 in Kingston
10/11/2008 - KINGSTON, Jamaica – Ricardo Fuller scored an early goal and Jamaica beat Mexico for only the second time in 19 career meetings on Saturday, 1:0 to revive its World Cup qualifying hopes.
The Reggae Boyz, playing their first qualifier at home in four matches, won for the first time in the second round and improved to four points in CONCACAF’s Group B. It also was the first since Rene Simoes was dismissed as manager.
Simoes was fired after Jamaica was beaten 2:0 on 10 September to leave it in last place in Group B with one point.
Former England international and Jamaica native John Barnes was hired to replace him, with Theodore Whitmore installed as the interim manager until Barnes takes over in November.
The result denied Mexico a chance to join Costa Rica and the USA in the final round of qualifying. It still leads the group with nine points, while Jamaica climbed to four points. Two teams from each of the three semifinal round groups advance.
Fuller’s goal came in the 14th minute when he touched a ball to his left foot and lifted a shot from the top of the arc that sailed over goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez. Sanchez, who was caught off his line, lunged backward but could not reach the shot.
Mexico had a chance to equalize in the 26th minute but Carlos Vela’s shot off a give-and-go was deflected wide.
Mexico’s best chance to equalize came in the 73rd minute when Rafael Marquez’s header hit the post and bounced wide. From then on the Jamaican defense held strong, not giving up any big plays and clearing anything that came into the box.
Jamaica kept the pressure on Mexico throughout the game, playing a much more physical game.
Jamaica forced Mexican keeper Sanchez to come up with big saves throughout the night. In the 65th minute, Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s shot from outside the penalty area was smothered by Sanchez, keeping Mexico’s hopes alive.
Jamaica, which needs to win its last two matches – both at home – to have any chance of advancing, next plays Honduras on Wednesday in Kingston.
http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4452
Jamaica stuns Mexico 1:0 in Kingston
10/11/2008 - KINGSTON, Jamaica – Ricardo Fuller scored an early goal and Jamaica beat Mexico for only the second time in 19 career meetings on Saturday, 1:0 to revive its World Cup qualifying hopes.
The Reggae Boyz, playing their first qualifier at home in four matches, won for the first time in the second round and improved to four points in CONCACAF’s Group B. It also was the first since Rene Simoes was dismissed as manager.
Simoes was fired after Jamaica was beaten 2:0 on 10 September to leave it in last place in Group B with one point.
Former England international and Jamaica native John Barnes was hired to replace him, with Theodore Whitmore installed as the interim manager until Barnes takes over in November.
The result denied Mexico a chance to join Costa Rica and the USA in the final round of qualifying. It still leads the group with nine points, while Jamaica climbed to four points. Two teams from each of the three semifinal round groups advance.
Fuller’s goal came in the 14th minute when he touched a ball to his left foot and lifted a shot from the top of the arc that sailed over goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez. Sanchez, who was caught off his line, lunged backward but could not reach the shot.
Mexico had a chance to equalize in the 26th minute but Carlos Vela’s shot off a give-and-go was deflected wide.
Mexico’s best chance to equalize came in the 73rd minute when Rafael Marquez’s header hit the post and bounced wide. From then on the Jamaican defense held strong, not giving up any big plays and clearing anything that came into the box.
Jamaica kept the pressure on Mexico throughout the game, playing a much more physical game.
Jamaica forced Mexican keeper Sanchez to come up with big saves throughout the night. In the 65th minute, Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s shot from outside the penalty area was smothered by Sanchez, keeping Mexico’s hopes alive.
Jamaica, which needs to win its last two matches – both at home – to have any chance of advancing, next plays Honduras on Wednesday in Kingston.
http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4452
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