Reggae Boyz held 0-0 by 10-man Cuba in Nations League opener
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Cuba in their opening Concacaf Nations League game played at the National Stadium on Friday in what was a lukewarm first game for new coach Steve McClaren.
Cuba’s goalkeeper, Raiko Arozarena, who plays for the Las Vegas Lights in the USL Championships, made a handful of brilliant saves against players from the English top two divisions to earn his team a valuable point in the League A Group B game.
The Reggae Boyz dominated the game, getting off 21 shots, seven on target, as the Cubans failed to get off a shot on target but were forced to share the points.
Cuba went down to 10-men just before half-time when defender Yunior Perez dragged Michail Antonio down from behind just on the edge of the 18-yard box after the West Ham player got pass him with a clear run at goal.
Jamaica will next play away to Honduras on Tuesday, while Cuba plays Nicaragua.
-Paul A Reid