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Originally posted by Jawge
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The game against Mexico in Mexico you do you think provided that defence splitting pass so that Nandi was fouled for a penalty (which was missed) Boss wheel an come again and correct to.
Hot Mexico blank Boyz
Mexico's Miguel Zepeda (centre, in green) jumps for the ball ahead of Jamaica's goalie Donovan Ricketts (centre, with gloves) as Jamaica's Ian Doodison (left) and Ricardo Gardner watch during the first half of their 2002 World Cup qualifying match in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium yesterday. Mexico won 4-0. - Reuters
By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
</B></B>MEXICO CITY
CONCACAF kingpins Mexico roared back into contention for a place in the 2002 World Cup finals with a handsome 4-0 win over Jamaica before 80,000 spectators at the Azteca Stadium yesterday.
A double strike each from hot new forward Antonio de Nigris and substitute Jared Borguetti, sentenced Jamaica to their third consecutive loss to Mexico in the Azteca and preserved Mexico's 20-year unbeaten run at this Stadium.
With the loss Jamaica slipped to third in the Group behind the United States and Mexico on goal difference. All three teams are on three points with Costa Rica and Honduras a point each. Trinidad and Tobago are still pointless.
Unlike previous occasions though the Reggae Boyz were not totally outplayed.
Both teams started out in an even fashion though the home team seemed to be the more aggressive while Jamaica, understandably, played a more patient wait-and-see game.
Mexico came close to scoring in just the eighth minute when goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was forced to pull off a save from a Manuel Zepeda effort.
Another effort was to follow just three minutes later but Francisco Palencia who was presented with a free header directed his effort wide. They did not have to wait much longer as de Nigris capitalised on hesitant defending to fire his team ahead in the 15th minute.
From a corner, the hungry young striker stole in between three Jamaican defenders to power a header past Ricketts. Before the Boyz could recover from that body blow they were hit again just a minute and a half later.
Again de Nigris was the goalscorer. After a tussle between captain Linval Dixon and Palencia just outside the Jamaican 18-yard box, referee Mauricio Navarro ruled that Dixon had fouled his opponent. From that spot Victor Ruiz blasted a free kick at goal which deflected off de Nigris' biceps past Ricketts who was off his line and going in the opposite direction.
The two-goal cushion for Mexico opened up the game as the Jamaicans went at them. In a rare attacking move from midfielder Theodore Whitmore, he combined with Jamaica's best player on the day, Andy Williams, to earn Jamaica a corner.
That signaled the start of something new for the Reggae Boyz.
In the 28th minute after another good build-up involving Williams, Darryl Powell sent a beautiful pass from the right flank to Lowe on the left side in the 18-yard box. The big man who was becoming increasing busy, took the ball on his chest shuffled towards goal and let fly a left-footer which goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez turned out for a corner.
Three minutes later the confident Lowe took on three defenders as he ran into the 18-yard box with a combination of power and skill. Unable to contain him, defender Rafael Marquez held onto Lowe's arm and pulled him down to give away a penalty.
Lowe, not known especially for his prowess from the spot, stepped up and dragged his shot to the left of Sanchez but not far enough to beat him as the Mexican goalkeeper saved easily.
In the 39th minute, Williams sent a delightful pass from just inside the opponents' half from the left side. It was perfectly directed and picked out Deon Burton who had just one defender to beat. He dismissed the veteran Claudio Suarez and with just the goalkeeper to beat he chipped just high with the left foot.
Jamaica had another opportunity from Lowe, which was turned out for a corner.
The Reggae Boyz started the second half with a more positive approach as they tried to string passes together. Within a minute of the start, defender Ian Goodison ripped a 50-yard effort, which had Sanchez backtracking to keep out of his net.
Approaching the 60th minute both coaches made a number of changes. Daniel Osorno replaced Palencia while Clovis de Oliveira surprisingly replaced sweeper Chris Dawes with forward Barry Hayles.
Another surprise was to follow as the coaches continued to ring the changes. Jermaine Johnson replaced Williams, Jamaica's best midfielder, while the ineffective and inconsistent Whitmore retained his place.
From then on it was largely Mexico's game as Pavel Pardo made a strainer of Ricardo Gardner on the left side of Jamaica's defence while German Villa and Victor Ruiz controlled the midfield. There were optimistic efforts from Hayles and Lowe but they would not trouble Mexico.
Borguetti scored his first of two goals in the 83rd minute when Osorno was quicker to a ball on the left flank, got by him and played across the goal to beat Ricketts who was committed to the challenge. Borguetti beat Goodison to the ball and calmly knocked it home.
Five minutes later the scoring was completed when Borguetti sneaked in behind Dixon to head home a cross from Marquez who ventured forward. Jamaica had their hopes of hitting the back of the net when Johnson made a run into the Mexican 18-yard box but had his shot was deflected high.
Following the game de Oliveira said that his team gave away two goals but still created chances.
"We gave two goals away in the first 15 minutes. We kept composed and it was unfortunate the way they scored the second goal.
"We tried to play our own game. We did and did very nice we created a lot of chances and even won a penalty."
Teams: Jamaica - Donovan Ricketts, Chris Dawes (Barry Hayles), Ian Goodison, Linval Dixon, Tyrone Marshall, Ricardo Gardner, Darryl Powell, Theodore Whitmore, Andy Williams (Jermaine Johnson), Onandi Lowe and Deon Burton (Ricardo Fuller). Mexico - Oswaldo Sanchez, Pavel Pardo, Duilo Davino, Claudio Suarez, Rafael Marquez, Marco Ruiz, German Villa, Francisco Palencia (Daniel Osorno), Miguel Zepeda (Juan Rodriguez), Antonio de Nigris (Jared Borguetti).
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