Jamaican joy as USA, Mexico suffer
(FIFA.com) Thursday 7 February 2013
THE DAY REPLAYED – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz pulled off a stunning result, drawing Mexico 0-0 at the fabled Estadio Azteca to open the final ‘Hexagonal’ round of FIFA World Cup™ qualifying in North, Central America and the Caribbean.
Jamaica made history with a 0-0 draw against Mexico at their much-feared Estadio Azteca. The Mexicans, reigning Olympic and CONCACAF champions, looked out of sorts from the start, despite having such household names as Giovani Dos Santos, Javier Chicharito Hernandez and Andres Guardado in the side. And when they trudged off the pitch to a chorus of boos and clenched fists from their own fans, they will have breathed a sigh of relief. It was a game Mexico could well have lost. Ryan Johnson started as lone striker for the Reggae Boyz, hitting the post once and missing two golden opportunities. One wonders what top scorer Luton Shelton, who missed the match through injury, might have done with similar chances. In the end, the point is a famous one for the Jamaicans. It is their first-ever at the Azteca, and fittingly it came on the birthday of late reggae star Bob Marley, who so loved his football.
Player of the day – Donovan Ricketts (JAM)
The gigantic USA-based shot-stopper had the game of his life in Mexico City, making save after save to deny the much-fancied El Tri strikers and pulling every cross out of the air with calm and ease. In the 48th minute, the Montego Bay-born keeper got down like a snap to deny a quick-fire shot from Oribe Peralta, and in the dying moments he twice denied Manchester United ace Chicharito to keep the scoresheet clean.
(FIFA.com) Thursday 7 February 2013
© AFP
THE DAY REPLAYED – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz pulled off a stunning result, drawing Mexico 0-0 at the fabled Estadio Azteca to open the final ‘Hexagonal’ round of FIFA World Cup™ qualifying in North, Central America and the Caribbean.
Jamaica made history with a 0-0 draw against Mexico at their much-feared Estadio Azteca. The Mexicans, reigning Olympic and CONCACAF champions, looked out of sorts from the start, despite having such household names as Giovani Dos Santos, Javier Chicharito Hernandez and Andres Guardado in the side. And when they trudged off the pitch to a chorus of boos and clenched fists from their own fans, they will have breathed a sigh of relief. It was a game Mexico could well have lost. Ryan Johnson started as lone striker for the Reggae Boyz, hitting the post once and missing two golden opportunities. One wonders what top scorer Luton Shelton, who missed the match through injury, might have done with similar chances. In the end, the point is a famous one for the Jamaicans. It is their first-ever at the Azteca, and fittingly it came on the birthday of late reggae star Bob Marley, who so loved his football.
Player of the day – Donovan Ricketts (JAM)
The gigantic USA-based shot-stopper had the game of his life in Mexico City, making save after save to deny the much-fancied El Tri strikers and pulling every cross out of the air with calm and ease. In the 48th minute, the Montego Bay-born keeper got down like a snap to deny a quick-fire shot from Oribe Peralta, and in the dying moments he twice denied Manchester United ace Chicharito to keep the scoresheet clean.
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