Young Reggae Boyz to face Honduras
Under-15s lose first game of Concacaf Championship after last-minute Mexican goal
Published:Thursday | August 10, 2023 | 12:12 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA’S UNDER-15 Reggae Boyz conceded a last-minute goal to suffer their first defeat in Group A at the Concacaf Under-15 championship in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, yesterday.
The young Boyz were beaten 2-1 in their top-of-the-table match with Mexico, however, they still progressed to the quarterfinals, where they will play Honduras in one of four games today.
After a goalless first half, the Mexicans took the lead in the 64th minute when Nicolas Aguilar’s looping strike evaded Samir Doshi in Jamaica’s goal.
But Giovanni Taylor pulled the Jamaicans level a minute later when he raced on to a pass over the top and lobbed Abdon Turrubiantes in goal for Mexico.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, the Boyz would watch as a late goal left them empty handed and broken hearted.
In time added, Luis Gamboa rose unmarked at the back post to head home Gael Garcia’s corner for the winner.
Mexico topped the group with maximum nine points, three more than second-place Jamaica. El Salvador were third with three points and the invited Saudi Arabia fourth without a point.
The young Reggae Boyz won their first two group matches, beating El Salvador 1-0 and Saudi Arabia 4-1.
They will face off against a Honduras team that finished atop Group D with five points and is unbeaten after three matches.
The Central Americans beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 but ended goalless with both Puerto Rico and Costa Rica.
In the other quarterfinal games, Mexico play Puerto Rico, Canada face Haiti, and USA are up against Guatemala.