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USA Clip Jamaica 2-1
Published: Tuesday | February 1, 20110
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
In a game in which tempers flared on several occasions, the United States' Under-17 team scored a hard-fought 2-1 win over their Jamaican counterparts at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay on Sunday night, giving them a major boost going into the upcoming CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.
However, for the Jamaican lads, which held the Americans to a 0-0 draw in the first game of the two-match series, they must have left the venue feeling hard done as referee Valdin Legister denied them what looked a clear penalty late in game, which would have given them a chance to level the score 2-2.
The Wilmer Cabrera-coached United States outfit, the most successful team in the CONCACAF region, took the lead in the 44th minute from the penalty spot through Esteban Rodriques and then made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute via Alejandro Guido.
Jamaica's consolation goal came from skipper Omar Holness in the 67th minute.
"Our aim was to get a feel of the local conditions against a quality opponent as well as to give all 20 members of the squad some playing time," said Cabrera.
"Today's game was played with a lot of intensity and that was what we wanted ... I think our objectives were met," he added.
Lots of positives
Despite the loss, Jamaica's Head Coach Wendell Downswell said his team got a lot of positives out of the game. In fact, it has significantly assisted him in fine-tuning the team's preparation ahead of the CONCACAF championship, which will be staged in western Jamaica.
"I believe we achieved our objectives, which was to hold our own against a top-ranked team in CONCACAF," said Downswell.
"Our focus now is on strengthening the offensive side of the team for the championship."
The United States had much the better of the opening exchanges, creating numerous openings. However, a combination of good luck and good defending at times by Jamaica kept them off the scoresheet.
Despite spending a lot of time soaking up pressure, Jamaica got at least one glorious chance in the 39th minute, when Romario Jones pounced on a rebound before the goal, but from six yards he initially fumbled and then dragged his shot wide.
With a minute to go to the half-time break, the Americans were awarded a penalty when the wily Marc Pelosi was fouled in the goal area. Rodriques made no mistake from the spot, making the score 1-0.
Second half
Jamaica started the second half looking quite positive and should have pulled level in the 48th minute through Jason Wright, who got away before the goal but failed to make use of the opportunity.
The Americans made them pay four minutes later when Guido capitalised on a defensive blunder and fired home easily, making the score 2-0.
Despite being two goals down, the Jamaicans kept pressing forward, attacking in numbers. During this period, the Americans became quite flustered as the game became more physical. In one rather rough exchange, Jamaica's Oshane Jenkins and the United States' Jack McBean were lucky to escape with only yellow cards after exchanging blows.
However, Jamaica's persistence finally paid off in the 67th minute when Holness pounced on a cross before the goal and was bang on target with his header, making the score 2-1.
With time running out in the game and Jamaica pressing for the equaliser, many felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 77th minute when a Jamaican player was brought down in the box, and then held down the American goalkeeper, but the referee ignored the many shouts of 'penalty'.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports7.html
Published: Tuesday | February 1, 20110
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:
In a game in which tempers flared on several occasions, the United States' Under-17 team scored a hard-fought 2-1 win over their Jamaican counterparts at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay on Sunday night, giving them a major boost going into the upcoming CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.
However, for the Jamaican lads, which held the Americans to a 0-0 draw in the first game of the two-match series, they must have left the venue feeling hard done as referee Valdin Legister denied them what looked a clear penalty late in game, which would have given them a chance to level the score 2-2.
The Wilmer Cabrera-coached United States outfit, the most successful team in the CONCACAF region, took the lead in the 44th minute from the penalty spot through Esteban Rodriques and then made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute via Alejandro Guido.
Jamaica's consolation goal came from skipper Omar Holness in the 67th minute.
"Our aim was to get a feel of the local conditions against a quality opponent as well as to give all 20 members of the squad some playing time," said Cabrera.
"Today's game was played with a lot of intensity and that was what we wanted ... I think our objectives were met," he added.
Lots of positives
Despite the loss, Jamaica's Head Coach Wendell Downswell said his team got a lot of positives out of the game. In fact, it has significantly assisted him in fine-tuning the team's preparation ahead of the CONCACAF championship, which will be staged in western Jamaica.
"I believe we achieved our objectives, which was to hold our own against a top-ranked team in CONCACAF," said Downswell.
"Our focus now is on strengthening the offensive side of the team for the championship."
The United States had much the better of the opening exchanges, creating numerous openings. However, a combination of good luck and good defending at times by Jamaica kept them off the scoresheet.
Despite spending a lot of time soaking up pressure, Jamaica got at least one glorious chance in the 39th minute, when Romario Jones pounced on a rebound before the goal, but from six yards he initially fumbled and then dragged his shot wide.
With a minute to go to the half-time break, the Americans were awarded a penalty when the wily Marc Pelosi was fouled in the goal area. Rodriques made no mistake from the spot, making the score 1-0.
Second half
Jamaica started the second half looking quite positive and should have pulled level in the 48th minute through Jason Wright, who got away before the goal but failed to make use of the opportunity.
The Americans made them pay four minutes later when Guido capitalised on a defensive blunder and fired home easily, making the score 2-0.
Despite being two goals down, the Jamaicans kept pressing forward, attacking in numbers. During this period, the Americans became quite flustered as the game became more physical. In one rather rough exchange, Jamaica's Oshane Jenkins and the United States' Jack McBean were lucky to escape with only yellow cards after exchanging blows.
However, Jamaica's persistence finally paid off in the 67th minute when Holness pounced on a cross before the goal and was bang on target with his header, making the score 2-1.
With time running out in the game and Jamaica pressing for the equaliser, many felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 77th minute when a Jamaican player was brought down in the box, and then held down the American goalkeeper, but the referee ignored the many shouts of 'penalty'.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports7.html
