FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique, CMC – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz kept their nerve in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out to beat Guadeloupe 5-4 on penalties and retain the coveted Digicel Caribbean Cup here Sunday night.
After scores were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation and added extra time, the Jamaicans were flawless from the spot while Jean Luc Lamboude missed his side’s fifth kick, to hand the Reggae Boyz victory in the Caribbean’s premier football competition for a second straight year.
Playing at the Pierre Aliker Stadium, Omar Cummings had put the favourites ahead in the 32nd minute but Ludovic Gotin hit back four minutes later for the French, to ensure the game was locked 1-1 at the half-time break and then at the end of full-time.
In the third place play-off, Roberto Balmaseda’s 12th minute strike was enough to give Cuba victory over Grenada.
Installed as heavy favourites to win the final, Jamaica found the early going difficult as the French took control of midfield thanks to captain Stephane Auvrey.
Jamaica were always a threat, however, as the dangerous Dane Richards made his presence felt in the Guadeloupe defence.
It was no surprise that the first real chance of the game fell for the Major League Soccer star after 26 minutes following a great run down the right side by Eric Vernan, but a sea of French defenders converged to avert the danger.
The Reggae Boyz were in front six minutes later, however. Rodolph Austin’s cross from the right was perfect and Luton Shelton arrived at the back post to nod a header back to Cummins who obliged with a clinical finish.
There was a near immediate response from the French as they hit back in the 36th minute to level the scores at 1-1. Larry Hanany’s delightful through ball was delightfully accepted by Gotin whose resulting volley gave goalkeeper Dwayne Miller little chance.
On even keel at the break, both teams played open football in the second half as they searched for the all important winner.
In the 59th minute, Cedric Collet squandered a chance on the edge of the box when he sent his left-footer wide and 10 minutes from full-time, Richards’ first touch let him down in a likely scoring opportunity after being set up by Shelton.
At the death, Gregory Gendrey came close from 20 yards out when his volley just narrowly sailed over the bar.
A frenetic extra-time period saw both teams carving out superb opportunities to win the contest but brilliant goalkeeping and wasteful shooting kept the scores level.
In the tortuous penalty shoot-out Austin put Jamaica ahead and Shelton, O’Brian Woodbine, Vernan and Troy Smith followed suit while Larry Clavier, Gendrey, Collet and Mickael Currier all scored to keep nerves on edge.
Lamboude then sent Guadeloupe final kick wide to spark Jamaican celebrations.