Jamaica and Martinique play to hard fought draw

Martinique’s Antoine Jean Baptiste (right) lunges to block Jamaica’s Jobi McAnuff

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, CMC– Jamaica and French-speaking Martinique battled to a one all draw in their opening Group B encounter of the 2014 CFU Caribbean Cup here Wednesday night

Darren Mattocks opening the scoring for Jamaica in the 13th minute, while Yoann Arquin equalized for Martinique in the 29th at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

While Jamaica looked more organised in attack resulting in more goal-scoring chances, they were undermined by their inability to finish.

The Reggae Boyz went ahead in the 13th minute when Vancouver Whitecaps striker Mattocks buried a low shot after the ball bounced favourably for him from a corner.

Martinique’s Antoine Jean Baptiste (right) lunges to block Jamaica’s Jobi McAnuff
Martinique’s Antoine Jean Baptiste (right) lunges to block Jamaica’s Jobi McAnuff

Martinique hit back in the 29th minute although Jamaica were dominating the passing game and looking more ambitious in attack.

A floated ball into area found favour with Martinique’s Arquin, who easily slipped it past goalkeeper Andre Blake.

The Jamaicans had a pair of second-half goals disallowed for offside, while Martinique suffered the same fate with the last kick of the game by Dominique Pandor.

Jamaica will next face Antigua and Barbuda on Friday in the feature of a double-header at 8:00 pm, while Martinique and Haiti do battle in the curtain-raiser at 5:30 pm.