Boyz rally for 2-1 win in DigiCup opener

[Sir X]

Boyz rally for 2-1 win in DigiCup opener
BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sports editor
Thursday, December 04, 2008


Jamaica's Reggae Boyz shook off early blushes and had to come from behind to defeat Barbados 2-1 in an agonising show to open their account in the Digicel Caribbean Championships at the National Stadium last night.

Rudolph Austin (76th minute) and Luton Shelton (82nd) from the penalty spot rescued Jamaican pride and eased nerves as the Boyz fought back after going down in the 46th minute to a Riviere Williams goal after dominating ball possession.

The three points put the Jamaicans at the top of Group A with Grenada, who defeated Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors by the same margin.


Reggae Boy Omar Cummings (left) tries to get past Barbados' Jonathan Straker during their Digicel Caribbean Championship Group A game at the National Stadium last night. Jamaica won 2-1. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood)

The first spark of the game for the Boyz came in the third minute of play when Luton Shelton and Rafe Wolfe worked a cheeky give-and-go inside the opposing 18-yard box, but the latter's cross inside couldn't find a friendly boot.

But the Barbadians - having soaked up some early Jamaican advances in their territory - gave a hint of their offensive mettle two minutes later when they forged forward, but the effort came to nought as Norman Forde's rasping grounder from 20 yards glided wide of Donovan Ricketts' upright.

For the first 20 minutes of play, Jamaica were on top of the game with slick passing out of midfield and offensive venturing, but they clearly lacked teeth in delivering the final blow.

In the 22nd minute, the Boyz appealed for a penalty, when a blitzy raid ended with the fleet-footed Eric Vernan tumbling over in the Bajan box after a promising run.

There was obviously contact, but referee Joel Aguillar was not convinced there was a foul and waved play on.

In much the same fashion they started the contest by dominating ball possession, the Jamaican finished the first half, but left the park cursing their luck as they went behind in the 46th when a diminutive Reviere Williams out-jumped a towering Jamaican defence to head home a left-sided corner.

Staring an embarrassing defeat in the face, the Boyz continued what could best be described as a frantic search for the equaliser, but their efforts in the final third were lacking in purpose.

But in a rare threatening move to this point, Dane Richards found himself in a good position and had a firmly-struck shot saved at close range by the visiting goalkeeper, Alvin Rouse.

The equalising goal was spawned in the 76th minute from a clever lofted ball into the area by Eric Vernan for Rudolph Austin to run onto for an easy volley past the goalkeeper.

But things began to get better for the Boyz when their spell of sustained pressure yielded a break through when Barbadian Bryan Neblett handled the ball in the area. Luton Shelton made no mistake with the 12-yard kick in the in 82nd minute to give the Boyz the lead.

Jamaica will next play tomorrow when they tackle Grenada at Jarrett Park at 7:00 pm, while Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors face Barbados at the same venue at 5:00.

[Sir X]

Late strikes lift Jamaica
published: Thursday | December 4, 2008


Jamaica's Luton Shelton (right) is challenged by Barbados' Barry Skeete during last night's Digicel Caribbean Championships match at the National Stadium. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer


INSPIRED BY late second-half substitutes Dane Richards and Demar Phillips, Jamaica's Reggae Boyz shook off some nervous moments to reward a small crowd of about 4,000 with two goals in the last quarter-hour to net a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Barbados in their Group A Digicel Caribbean Championship Finals match at the National Stadium last night.


The win, the Boyz's first in a competitive fixture with new head coach John Barnes, lifted Jamaica to three points and joint leadership of the zone with Grenada, who registered the same margin of victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the earlier game.
Richards opened the gate for Jamaica's opening goal against a sturdy Barbadian defence, with a neat chip over the backline that gave Rodolph Austin an easy opportunity that he steered one-time past Barbados goalie Alvin Rouse to tie the scores at the 76th minute.


Six minutes later, a clumsy piece of defending by stout-hearted defender Bryan Neblett, who handled the ball, led to a penalty.


Building on the momentum, Luton Shelton fired the penalty kick straight down the middle of the goal to give Jamaica their winning goal in the 81st minute.


Free header
Barbados scored their goal right on the stroke of half-time when a corner kick swerved in low from the left and was met near the centre of the goal at six yards by Riviere Williams and he buried the free header into the net.


In the second half, Jamaica took greater control but still had difficulty utilising their team game to break down Barbados until the pace and skill of Richards and Phillips at wide right and left midfield were introduced for Sean Fraser and Rafe Wolfe.


Richards, in particular, was virtually uncontainable and was successful at dribbling inside the penalty box from right on a number of occasions to supply crosses before goal.


Barbados wilted under the pressure as Jamaica were winning many corners, putting in many squares and forcing a number of hasty clearances before Barbados' goal.
The eastern Caribbean team finally broke when Richards produced a nice piece of innovation by lifting the ball over a wall of defenders before him to set up the opening goal and set the tone for victory.

Jamaica next play Grenada tomorrow at Jarrett Park, Montego Bay, at 7 p.m. - Audley Boyd

[Sir X]

I just read two articles , one credits Richards as being the tormenter the other Vernon whom is it ?

Richards, in particular, was virtually uncontainable and was successful at dribbling inside the penalty box from right on a number of occasions to supply crosses before goal.


In the 22nd minute, the Boyz appealed for a penalty, when a blitzy raid ended with the fleet-footed Eric Vernan tumbling over in the Bajan box after a promising run.

76th minute from a clever lofted ball into the area by Eric Vernan for Rudolph Austin to run onto for an easy volley past the goalkeeper.

[Bricktop]

BARNES must go. Wi nuh need nuh foreign white man fi tell us how fi play football

[Assasin]

Good to see Dane Richards back and better than ever. He played an excellent game in the play offs and in the finals. His pace on the ball is great. Now he knows what he is doing, whether going wide and cross, pass or head to goal. He has developed in his awareness on the field and what to do.

It is good to see he is back and better than ever. He might just force his way into Europe.

[Jangle]

Dane needs a little more development before venturing into Europe. I would rather he spends another year in the MLS improving than to go to England to a (what's the second tier league called?) Nations (?) league team to wallow on the bench.

Mosiah your report please?

[Assasin]

yeah, but he is much better than last year and if he keep on scoring and assisting the way he has in the last few games it is not long before a team come in for him.

[Mosiah]

Eric Vernon is a player I have followed since his Glenmuir days. He is a good player, but I think he was a little out of his depth last night. The substitute, Beckham (also known as Obrien Woodbine) did a much better job coming forward. Beckham's crosses were nothing like his more popular namesake's, however.

Richards now was the real deal. I believe he is even better than Jamal Campbell-Ryce, more versatile. He came on and played like a general! Shatta, nuff respect to you for bigging up this balla from a longer time. He was my Man of the Match, although they gave it to Austin.

And I don't believe it was Vernon who supplied that pass to Austin to score. Looked more like Demar Phillips to me.

[Jangle]

I agree that he has improved over last year, but I think he is still far away from the finished product. He has tremendous potential especially with that blazing speed of his but he needs to improve on his crosses and his off-the-ball movements some more.

[Dunny]

Mosiah,how did you rate the overall performance,did they pass the ball better than previous games?

[Sir X]

How was the team play etc , formation , subs etc , break it down from Forward , midfield to defence a good match report is appreciated on barnes 1st outing .

thanks in advance.

[Assasin]

Part of the problem with him at the Metro Stars is he is playing defense and office at the same time. He tracks all the way back and make tackles in defense then have to run all the way back to spearhead the metro attack. Watch next time.

If he was just playing an attacking mid he would find himself in better positions. He may not be the finish product and his crosses may need a little work but it is much better than last year.

With that speed and ability to beat people, and he is a team player which I can see many coaches going for.

[Mosiah]

Soon give you my report and I have asked a bredren of mine to write one too.

[Stonigut]

Hee haha, wi nuh want nuh roast breadfruit!!! Man fi start building and changing the program based on the fundamentals, 'training, committment, professional attitude, focusing on those things that make teams successful, bringing the knowledge from the EPL etc, not attacking cultural icons.

When we allow a "white heart" or is a "yellow heart" hmm interesting choice!! fi attack the very essence of who we are and what we identify with you know seh there is little respect for things Jamaican, this is definitely a trait of some of the newly minted "English".