Argentina edge heroic Boyz 2-1
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (CMC) — Jamaica conceded a pair of late goals to slump to defeat in an international friendly on Wednesday, when Argentina edged past them 2-1.
The Reggae Boyz were leading from early in the second half following a strike from Ryan Johnson, but gave up goals to Martin Palermo and Ignacio Canutto in the last 10 minutes to help Argentina avoid an embarrassing loss at the Jose Maria Minella Stadium.
Johnson moved in between Argentina centre-backs Leonel Galeano and Mariano Echeverria to butt-in Lovel Palmer’s cross from the right.
Coach Theodore Whitmore then urged the Boyz to choose discretion over valour, and they vigourously defended their narrow lead.
Jamaica appeared to be heading to a memorable maiden victory over the two-time World champions, whose famous coach Diego Maradona fielded a side with five newcomers and none of Argentina’s European exiles.
But poor marking from the Boyz saw Palermo break through in the 83rd minute to meet Jesus Mendez’s cross with a firm header which net-minder Dwayne Miller was powerless to stop.
At this stage, the Jamaicans would have been satisfied to leave the contest with a level scoreline, but Palermo then returned the favour to Canutto for the 89th-minute substitute to put the Argentines ahead in stoppage time.
The Jamaicans are using the fixture to help improve their standing in World football to continue their export of players to foreign leagues, particularly in Europe, where only footballers from World’s top 75 are assured of contracts under new employment legislation.
Argentina were using the match as part of their build-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they have been drawn in Group B, alongside Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece.
The Argentines will have another warm-up friendly on March 3 in Munich against three-time World champions Germany, whom they have met twice in the World Cup finals in 1986 in Mexico and 1990 in Italy.
Lineups:
Argentina — Nelson Ibanez; Gabriel Mercado (Ignacio Canuto, 89), Mariano Echeverria (Matias Caruzzo, 71), Leonel Galeano (Nicolas Gaitan, 54), Fabian Monzon; Patricio Toranzo, Juan Mercier, Walter Acevedo (Jesus Mendez, 60), Federico Insua; Franco Jara (Gabriel Hauche, 46), Martin Palermo.
JAMAICA — Dwayne Miller; Shavar Thomas, Lovel Palmer (Dane Richards, 63), Jermaine Taylor, Adrian Reid; Rodolph Austin, Richard Edwards, Navion Boyd (Demar Stewart, 63), Keammar Daley (Jevaughn Watson, 69); Omar Cummings (Jason Johnson, 90) y Ryan Johnson (Devon Hodges, 78).
Referee: Victor Hugo Ribera Chavez (Peru).