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Jamaica wins Gold Cup quarter-final

Canada has been eliminated from the 2017 Gold Cup after falling 2-1 in the quarter-finals against Jamaica at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Thursday.

Jamaica took a two-goal lead on strikes by Shaun Francis and Romario Williams before Junior Hoilett replied for Canada.

It was the first time Canada reached the knockout stage of the competition since the 2009 tournament, when it was also eliminated at this stage of the competition.

Canada provided the first scoring chances with Scott Arfield delivering an early teasing free kick and corner kick, but Jamaica struck first in the sixth minute.

Former Vancouver Whitecaps player Darren Mattocks carried the ball into the Canadian penalty area and found an unmarked Francis, who rattled his shot off the Canadian crossbar and over the line.

Canada had a chance to equalize just a few minutes later when Arfield swung a free kick in that forward Cyle Larin headed just off the target.

Jamaica added to the lead in the opening minutes of the second half when Williams wasn’t closed down by the Canadian defenders and launched a lovely rightfooted curling effort in the 50th minute.

Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan dove valiantly to his left, but got only his fingertips on the well-placed shot.

Hoilett pulled one back in the 61st minute with an equally spectacular effort of his own. He led a Canadian counter-attack by himself and, with Jamaica’s defenders getting back, curled a long-range shot into the top corner.

He very nearly added a similar goal with about 20 minutes remaining, but Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake dove to make a highlight-reel save.

Arfield provided Canada’s final chance in second-half injury time when he was played into the Jamaica penalty area, but his low shot was stopped by Blake.