Jamaica down Suriname as Costa Rica get off to winning start in opener
LOS ANGELES: Shamar Nicholson and Bobby Reid powered Jamaica past Suriname and Costa Rica downed Guadeloupe in the opening Gold Cup Group C games in Orlando on Monday.
Nicholson scored in the sixth minute to put Jamaica ahead with his third career Gold Cup goal and first international strike in two years. Fulham forward Reid doubled the lead in the 26th minute.
In the late game, Joel Campbell and Ariel Lassiter put Costa Rica 2-0 ahead early in the first half.
Raphael Mirval pulled one back for Guadeloupe just before half-time, but Celso Borges scored Costa Rica’s third in the second half to seal the win.
Both teams will be off until their next matches on Friday, also in Orlando, when Jamaica play Guadeloupe and Costa Rica take on Suriname.
Covid-19 knocked Curacao out of the Gold Cup before it started, with an outbreak forcing them to withdraw. They were replaced by Guatemala.
Mexico’s title defense got off to a rocky start on Saturday when they were held to a goalless draw by Trinidad and Tobago in Group A.
Less than 15 minutes in, Mexico saw Napoli winger Hirving Lozano carted off and it was later confirmed that he is out of the tournament. tournament.
Meanwhile, Qatar and Panama are ready to kick things off in Group D at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup and both nations have plans to make the most of their participation.
Making their first appearance, guest country Qatar relish the opportunity to test themselves against the likes of Panama, Grenada and Honduras, and potentially advance on a lengthy run. These matches bring another level of preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts, according to Qatar national team coach Felix Sanchez.
“I think the country is trying to create a good program for us to be able to reach the best level for the World Cup and what beter way to play a tournament of these characteristics,” Sanchez said.
“Everyone comes here to try to perform and try to win, so this makes us have to play at the highest level to be able to compete.”
Sanchez won’t be the only Spaniard on the touchline, as former Spanish national team striker and Panama head coach Thomas Christiansen will manage his first Gold Cup match.