Ecuador test for struggling U18 Reggae Boyz

JAMAICA’S UNDER-18 Reggae Boyz will have to find a way past South American powerhouse Ecuador if they are to get anything from their UEFA Friendship tournament in Turkey.

Playing in their final game of Group A yesterday, the Jamaicans were bested 1-0 by Mali, having already suffered losses to hosts Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Having finished in last place in Group A, the Jamaicans will now take on Ecuador, who finished last in Group B on Tuesday.

The squad ended the group stages with just two goals to their names, while conceding 13 along the way.

Vere United’s Dustin Cohen and Chapelton Maroons’ Orane Watson contributed to Jamaica’s goal tally.

The Reggae Boyz started their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia took the early ascendency in the game and went into half-time with a 2-0 lead.

Cohen scored Jamaica’s consolation in the 80th minute but the Boyz failed to capitalise on a late penalty to pull level.

The opening loss was followed by a heavy defeat to Turkey.

Jamaica were drubbed 10-1 in the group’s second game and were down 6-0 by half-time.

Turkey carried their attacking form into the second half and had scored their 10th goal by the 79th minute.

Watson pulled one back for Jamaica in the 88th minute.

Heading into the tournament, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical committee chairman Rudolph Speid said Jamaica’s participation in the competition was viewed by the federation as a development opportunity for the players.

Following the final group stage game, Mali sit atop Group A with eight points from two wins and a draw. They had earned an extra point after defeating Turkey on penalties following their 1-1 draw in the group stages. Turkey sit second with six points while Saudi Arabia finished third with four.

In Group B, Slovakia topped the group with eight points, followed by Morocco with four, while Guatemala and Ecuador finished third and fourth, respectively, with three.