ORLANDO, Florida, CMC – A magical late strike by Junior Flemmings rescued Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, as they overcame a lethargic display to edge a determined Guadeloupe 2-1 and qualify for the next round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup here Friday night.
The two-time finalists had trailed as early as the fourth minute courtesy of Dimitri Ramothe’s fortuitous strike – initially credited as an Amari’i Bell own goal – before equalising through Cory Burke in the 14th minute at Exploria Stadium.
However, Jamaica then struggled to find a way through the French Caribbean side’s defence, and shared points seemed the most likely outcome of the Group C encounter when Flemmings danced into the box to find the dramatic winner with three minutes left.
“First and foremost, it’s not the kind of performance that would be expected from the guys but nonetheless, the result is more important,” said a disappointed head coach Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore.
“I don’t think the team played up to expectations. I think we only played the last 20 minutes of the game but again, the result is what matters.
“[Jamaica] allowed the Guadeloupe into the game because the intensity [was lacking], I think we were lacklustre so we made it difficult for ourselves. It wasn’t Guadeloupe who made it difficult for us.”
Jamaica started slowly and succumbed to Guadeloupe’s first real attack of the game when they lost the ball in midfield and got caught out with a pass over the top.
The England-based Bell, one of only two defenders back, then watched as Ramothe’s attempted pass from the right side of the box ricocheted off his knees to get past goalkeeper Andre Blake at the near post.
Jamaica levelled nearing the quarter-of-an hour mark when the Sweden-based Blair Turgott robbed Edwing Malpon and teed up Burke at the top of the 18-yard box, the Major League Soccer star making little mistake with a superb volley which left goalkeeper Yohann Thuram flat-footed.
Shamar Nicholson came close with a half-chance in the 39th from close range before Malpon nearly put his side back in front in injury time, Blake diving full stretch to tip a goal-bound 22-yard volley around the post.
The Belgium-based Nicholson was guilty of his second miss in the 62nd minute, this time a glaring opportunity. Burke led a counter-attack down the left and squared for Nicholson with only Thuram to beat from close range, only for the 24-year-old to blast over the crossbar.
Thuram dived low to save from Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey in the 65th minute as Jamaica scented the winner which eventually came with full time nearing.
Bailey on the left picked out Flemmings – a 61st minute sub – on the edge of the box, and the United States-based striker weaved his way past three defenders to beat Thuram at the far post with a superb low drive from seven yards.
In the other Group C game, Costa Rica came from behind to beat Suriname 2-1 following a goalless first half, to also notch their second win and advance to the quarter-finals.
