SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras, CMC – Early second half strikes saw Jamaica and Cuba battle gamely to a share of the points but Trinidad and Tobago’s losing streak continued with another defeat, this time at the hands of hosts Honduras here Thursday.
Playing on day five of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship at the Estadio Francisco Morazán, the Reggae Boyz earned a 1-1 draw thanks to Nathaniel Adamolekun’s equaliser, nine minutes after the break.
T&T, however, had their resistance undermined by second half goals as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat in the night’s feature game.
In the other fixture of the tripleheader, United States whipped Guatemala 4-1.
With the latest results, Jamaica now lie third in Group A on four points with T&T rooted to the bottom of the tables. Unbeaten United States lead with nine points, two clear of the second placed Honduras.
Searching for their second straight win following their victory earlier in the week over Guatemala, Jamaica found Cuba hard to break down and the game remained nil-all at the interval.
However, the Spanish-speaking Caribbean side grabbed the lead in the 47th minute when Eduard Puga nudged in Yosniel Gonsalez’s cross from close range.
Jamaica hit back soon after thanks to a superb build-up, with Donovan Dawkins providing the final pass for Adamolekun to tuck in the equaliser.
Both teams then squandered excellent chances to find the winner, and Jamaica finished the game with ten men after Demar James picked up a second yellow card in stoppage time at the end.
Meanwhile, T&T put up a defiant first half showing to ensure the hosts were kept off the scoresheet at the half-time whistle.
The game came to life in the second half, however, when captain Dylan Andrade netted in the 54th minute to give Honduras the lead. He capitalised on poor defending, picked up a loose ball, and blasted it past goalkeeper Levi Fernandez.
Chaz Burnett and Jeankeon Alexander then wasted glorious opportunities to equalise for T&T, and they were made to pay when Wisdom Quaye’s volley in stoppage time, secured the points for Honduras.
