HOUSTON, Texas, CMC – Captain Rodolph Austin struck a late injury-time winner as Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz edged a stubborn Canada 1-0 to post their first win of the CONCACAF Gold Cup here Saturday night.
With the game seemingly headed for another frustrating draw following their opening stalemate against Costa Rica, the former Leeds defender headed home in the second minute of stoppage time to hand Jamaica a precious three points and send them to the top of Group B.
In the feature game of the double-header at the BBVA Compass Stadium, El Salvador also produced a late stunner to grab a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with Costa Rica.
The Ticos led on 61 minutes through captain Bryan Ruiz’s first Gold Cup goal in ten years but substitute Dustin Corea struck deep in injury-time of four minutes added, to break Costa Rica’s hearts.
Jamaica now top the group with four points, with Costa Rica and El Salvador level on two points, and Canada bottom with a single point.
Playing in stifling heat that topped 34 degrees Celsius, Jamaica carved out chance after chance but found it nearly impossible to break down an obdurate Canada.
After taking a while to settle, the Reggae Boyz pushed forward repeatedly in search of the opening goal only to be denied by goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopolous, poor finishing or in one case the woodwork.
