World Cup dream dies as Young Boyz crash 1-5 to Mexico
PANAMA CITY, Panama — Jamaica’s World Cup dream went up in smoke when they crashed 1-5 to Mexico in the final Group C match of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship at the Estadio Maracana on Saturday night.
Jairo Torres got a double in the 24th and 35th minutes, so too Daniel Lopez got the other in minutes 32 and 62. Adrian Vasquez added another in the 63rd.Jeremy Verley cut the deficit in the 72nd minute.The defeat brought the curtain down on Jamaica’s qualification campaign and an end to their World Cup dream.The victory means Mexico advanced to the Classification round in second-place on six points, joining the the USA who clipped El Salvador 1-0 to formalise their progression to the next round on maximum nine points.After a cagey first 20 minutes where both teams exchanged possession regularly, the Mexicans slowly imposed themselves offensively, using the flanks to good effect.It was on one of those moves that Mexico got their go-ahead goal in the 14th minute. Following through on a ball from midfield, Andres Perez latched on, glided by Coby Atkinson on the left-side before measuring a low ball inside for Jairo Torres, who made easy work of beating Tajay Griffiths from 12 yards.The CONCACAF giants were 2-0 up in the 32nd minute when Jamaica’s defence was outdone by a cheeky scoop pass that sent Lopez clear on goal and he blasted into the roof of the net.A third goal came three minutes later when Torres got the better of Shane Ricketts down the right channel, cut inside and beat Griffiths to his near post with a firm, low left-footed shot.For the remainder of the first half it was one-way traffic going Mexico’s way.In the 51st minute, El Tri threatened down Jamaica’s right side with Perez, who darted into the danger area, but his lunging shot was blocked by Griffiths.In a rare attempt at goal, Jamaica’s Kaheem Parris forced the opposing keeper into action in 53rd minute with his favourite left foot, and while it was a welcome change of scenery, the effort did little to bother the otherwise vacationing Cesar Lopez between the sticks.Mexico added another in the 61st minute when Vasquez beat Griffiths easily from inside the box. A minute later, Spanish-speaking armada made it 5-0 when Lopez got his second ramming home as the Jamaica defence crumbled.Even though the game was not going their way at that, the Young Boyz managed a combination at the other end that earned a free-kick at the edge of the box in the 72nd minute.Verley’s curling spot kick was a beauty and Mexico’s goalkeeper Lopez was beaten all ends up. Following a spell of uplifting play by Jamaica in the opposing half of the field, the Mexicans then revved up their threat level, and in the 85th minute, Roberto De La Rosa unleashed a stinger from the edge of the area, but Griffiths was at his brilliant best to tip over.To their credit, the Jamaicans looked positive towards the end, but the game as a contest was all over by the time the late flourish came.Jamaica finished the group third on three points having lost their opening game 0-5 to the USA, and rallied for a 3-1 victory over pointless El Salvador.Teams: Jamaica — Tajay Griffiths, Jamoi Topey, Kimani Gibbons, Coby Atkinson, Shane Ricketts, Jeremy Verley, Jermaine Lyons (Blake White 61st), Renato Campbell, Nicque Daley, Kaheem Parris (Kendall Edwards 68th), Ricardo McIntosh (83rd).Subs not used: Daniel Russell, Damani Osei, Caseam Priestley, Richard Thompson, Akeem MullingsBooked: Topey (59th), Campbell (68th)Mexico — Cesar Lopez, Adrian Vasquez, Carlos Robles, Luis Olivas, Raul Sandoval (Andres Catalan 79th), Luis Gamiz (Carlos Guerrero 70th), Jairo Torres, Alexis Gutierrez (Marco Ruiz 58th), Daniel Lopez, Roberto De La Rosa, Andres Perez.Subs not used: Andre Alcaraz, Haret Ortega, Alan Mseda, Victor Reyes, Cesar Huerta, Alfonso AlvaradoBooked: NoneReferee: Juan Gabriel (CRC)Assistants: Daniel Williamson (PAN), Kevin Stephens (GUY)Fourth Official: Adrian Skeete (BRB) Match Commissioner: Glen Etienne (DMA)Sean Williams