KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz made a nightmare start to their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign when they suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to lowly-rated Nicaragua at Independence Park here Friday night.
Stunningly, the highly-fancied Jamaicans found themselves trailing 0-3 early in the second half and not even goals from the overseas-based pair of Darren Mattocks and Adrian Mariappa could turn pull things around.
The result was a shocking one especially considering the massive gulf in experience between the two sides. Jamaica are the highest ranked Caribbean side in the FIFA World rankings at 52nd while the Central Americans are ranked 139th.
And having played superbly to reach the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup last July, Jamaica entered the contest as heavy favourites but saw all their confidence zapped by a busy Nicaraguan side.
The night started badly for the hosts when they conceded a penalty in the fifth minute which Manuel Rosas promptly blasted past goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Three minutes later, things went from bad to worse for Jamaica as Nicaragua hit on the counter for Carlos Chavarria to produce a clinical finish.
Wobbling from Nicaragua’s dream start, Jamaica took some time to recover before growing in confidence and creating a couple half-chances, but went to the half still without a goal.
Following the break, Nicaragua picked up momentum again and silenced the partisan crowd when Luis Galeano added a third in the 48th minute.
Left with little alternative, Jamaica laid siege to the Nicaraguan goal and this paid dividends in the 69th minute when Mattocks, the Vancouver Whitecaps striker, pulled one back.
Nine minutes later, Crystal Palace’s Mariappa finished well to cut the deficit to one goal but Nicaragua did enough to hold on and seal an important first leg win.
The two teams will meet in the return leg next week in Managua.