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U-20 Boyz advance to CONCACAF Final Round
Despite going down 1-0 to Trinidad and Tobago in the second-leg of World Cup qualification, Jamaica's Under-20s are through to the final round.
The Jamaicans, who won the first leg of the home and away tie 2-0 at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium on Sunday ended 2-1 aggregate winners and earned a place in the four-team final group, which includes Mexico, Costa Rica, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Panama, U.S.A., Guatemala and Haiti will contest the other group. The victory was bitter sweet for the Jamaicans, who missed out on early chances that could have made for a different game.
Even more disappointing for the young Reggae Boyz was the injury to goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr, who was hit in the head and had to be rushed to hospital for further treatment.
At press time, Kerr was still en route to the hospital in an ambulance and complained to the paramedics about constant headaches.
After the game, Jamaica's coach Dr. Dean Weatherley said the team did not play with much spunk on the attacking front but proved their worth in defence.
"As was expected, Trinidad came out and played a very good, spirited game. They gave a good account of themselves but our boys were a little lacklustre today, which is expected at times," said Weatherley.
"We gave a good defensive effort but we got some goals in the first half that we didn't capitalise on and that gave Trinidad the confidence to come back at us," he added.
Though the Jamaicans lost the game, Weatherley is of the opinion that the team will still do well in the next round against the Mexicans and the Costa Ricans.
"We have a month and a half to prepare so we'll just go back to the drawing board, see what went wrong and look at how to approach the games ahead," said Weatherley.
- Paul-Andre Walker
Despite going down 1-0 to Trinidad and Tobago in the second-leg of World Cup qualification, Jamaica's Under-20s are through to the final round.
The Jamaicans, who won the first leg of the home and away tie 2-0 at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium on Sunday ended 2-1 aggregate winners and earned a place in the four-team final group, which includes Mexico, Costa Rica, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Panama, U.S.A., Guatemala and Haiti will contest the other group. The victory was bitter sweet for the Jamaicans, who missed out on early chances that could have made for a different game.
Even more disappointing for the young Reggae Boyz was the injury to goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr, who was hit in the head and had to be rushed to hospital for further treatment.
At press time, Kerr was still en route to the hospital in an ambulance and complained to the paramedics about constant headaches.
After the game, Jamaica's coach Dr. Dean Weatherley said the team did not play with much spunk on the attacking front but proved their worth in defence.
"As was expected, Trinidad came out and played a very good, spirited game. They gave a good account of themselves but our boys were a little lacklustre today, which is expected at times," said Weatherley.
"We gave a good defensive effort but we got some goals in the first half that we didn't capitalise on and that gave Trinidad the confidence to come back at us," he added.
Though the Jamaicans lost the game, Weatherley is of the opinion that the team will still do well in the next round against the Mexicans and the Costa Ricans.
"We have a month and a half to prepare so we'll just go back to the drawing board, see what went wrong and look at how to approach the games ahead," said Weatherley.
- Paul-Andre Walker
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