ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Goals on either side of half-time gave Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz a revenge 2-0 win over 10-man Antigua and Barbuda at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium here Sunday.
Peter-Lee Vassell’s 43rd minute strike gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break and Fabien Reid added a second in the 57th, to avenge for the heartbreaking 1-1 draw between the two teams in Kingston last month.
The victory also ensured a successful two-game road trip for Jamaica who trounced St Kitts and Nevis 3-1 last Thursday in Basseterre.
Though there was high pre-game anticipation in light of the last contest between the two teams, the first half was a bit of a damp squib, with little action materialising in the first 40 minutes.
In the last five, veteran Peter Byers came close for the hosts but it was Jamaica who drew first blood when Vassell slotted home from close range after being set up by Jameil Hardware.
Antigua were not afforded the luxury of a comeback, however, as Jamaica doubled their lead 12 minutes after the resumption. Reid, who had missed a sitter minutes earlier, found the target on the second time of asking when he produced a clinical finish with a delicate chip.
The evening grew worse for the hosts in the 76th minute when Vashami Allen was given his marching orders for a lunging tackle.