U20 Boyz take charge in group
THE JOHN Wall-led Under-20 Reggae Boyz will be looking to secure qualification for the Concacaf Men’s U20 Championships when they take on Bermuda tomorrow in their final group match. The team recorded two wins from as many games at the qualifiers to take charge of their group.
The team will only need a draw against the Bermudans to secure their spot as they lead Group F of qualifiers with a perfect record.
The young Reggae Boyz opened the qualifiers on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Martinique.
It was a close encounter between the teams, but it was Jamaica who walked away with all three points. Romain Blake provided the game’s only goal when his long- distance effort beat the goalkeeper, who was off his line.
In their second match of the group stages against Grenada yesterday, Jamaica had a much more inspired performance as they won 2-0 against the Caribbean opponents.
The Boyz controlled much of the game from start to finish and were a consistent threat on the attack, recording 25 shots in total to Grenada’s six.
Nicholas Simmonds scored the opening goal in the 30th minute when he headed home from close range from a cross from Christopher Ainsworth.
Simmonds turned provider in the second half as he assisted Ronaldo Barrett, who caught the Grenadian goalkeeper off his line and placed a lofted shot into the back of the net from a distance to double the lead.
Grenada found some footing in the second half, and despite carving out the rare opportunity to get back into the game, they failed to find the finishing touch in front of goal.
Jamaica currently sit atop Group F on six points from two games. Bermuda are tied on points with Martinique, with three points each, however, Bermuda sit second with more goals scored. Bermuda have scored three goals compared to Martinique’s two.
Grenada have been eliminated from qualification following the loss to Jamaica, their second in a row, and are rooted at the bottom of the table with six.
Bermuda will need a win should they want to advance to the Concacaf U20 Championships while Martinique will be hoping for a win as well as favourable results in the group’s other match for a chance to advance.
Jamaica will face Bermuda at the St Kitts and Nevis Technical Centre tomorrow at 6 p.m.