PHOENIX, Arizona — Shaun Francis and Romario Williams struck goals in either half as Jamaica downed Canada 2-1 to book a place in Sunday’s semi-finals of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament here inside the University of Phoenix Stadium last night.

The Reggae Boyz will now await the winner of the second game between Mexico and Honduras for Sunday’s showdown inside the famed Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Co-incidentally, Mexico defeated Jamaica 2-0 at the same venue last year in the Copa Centenario.

Jamaica went ahead in the sixth minute when Darren Mattocks broke behind the Canadian defence on the right and the Portland Timbers frontman raced into the penalty area slightly to the right and pulled the ball back for the onrushing Francis to slam home with the help of the underside of the crossbar.

The North Americans replied shortly after with Orlando City striker Cyle Larin flashing a header inches wide of Andre Blake’s left hand post, with the Philadelphia Union goaltender rooted to his spot.

And, though surrendering much of the pitch to Canada, the Jamaicans continued to threaten on the break as Mattocks was played in behind the defence from the left hand channel by Williams. But, after racing clear into the penalty area, goalkeeper Milan Borjan advanced off his line to thwart the wily striker.

And, on the half-hour mark, Alvas Powell, who has been a threat with his overlapping runs down the right channel, cut inside two defenders and unleashed a grounded left-footer, which Borjan did just enough to turn behind for a corner.

Shortly after, Mattocks spun on a dime deep inside the penalty area to face Borjan, but a retreating defender got enough onto the ball to play it behind for a corner before Mattocks could pull the trigger.

As the half drew to a close Larin tested Blake with a rasping drive which the Philadelphia Union goaltender collected on the second attempt.

The Boyz added to their advantage on 50 minutes when a Kemar Lawrence throw-in was collected by Mattocks, who held off his defender before serving the arriving Williams on a platter, and the powerful striker didn’t hesitate before curling in a peach of a right-footer out of the reach of the flailing arms of Borjan.

And with the tails high, Mattocks, who really deserved a goal for his outstanding performance on the night, almost did just that, after knifing his way past two defenders inside the penalty box and setting up himself for a curling right-footer which the Canadian goalie just managed to tip around his left hand post for another corner.

Then the Boyz lost control and Canada reduced the deficit when David Hoilett, who turned down the chance to play for Jamaica, curled home a beauty in the 61st minute, despite the great attempt by Blake.

And on 71 minutes Hoilett was given the freedom of time and space to unleash at Blake, who proved equal to the task.

Blake, the Jamaican captain, was called on a couple of times thereafter to keep his team in front as they head to California today for Sunday’s semi-finals.

Teams:

Jamaica – Andre Blake, Damion Lowe, Alvas Powell, Shaun Francis (Cory Burke 67th), Darren Mattocks, Je-Vaughn Watson, Kevon Lambert (Michjael Binns 90th+), Owayne Gordon, Kemar Lawrence, Jermaine Taylor, Romario Williams (Ladale Richie 81st)

Subs not used: Rosario Harriott, Sergio Campbell, Oniel Fisher, Ewan Grandison, Dwayne Miller, Shamar Nicholson, Jermaine Johnson, Ricardo Morris, Damion Hyatt

Booked: Lambert (73rd)

Canada – Milan Borjan, Dejan Jakovic, Samuel Piette, Russell Teibert, Scott Arfield, David Hoilett. Alphanso Davies (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 82nd), Marcel De Jong, Steven Vitoria (Manjrekar James 56th), Michael Petrasso, Cyle Larin (Lucas Cavallini 56th)

Subs not used: Maxime Crepeau, Fraser Aird, Samuel Adekugbe, Tosaint Ricketts, Mark Kaye, Adam Straith, Patrice Bernier, Jonathan Osorio, Jayson Leutwiler

Booked: Victoria (15th)

Referee: Ricardo Montero (Costa Rica)

Assistant Referees: Juan Carlos Mora (Costa Rica), Keytzel Corrales (Nicaragua)

Fourth Official: Yadel Martinez (Cuba)

Match Commissioner: Yves Jean-Bart (Haiti)