French Guiana final test for young Reggae Boyz
Published:Sunday | August 25, 2024 | 12:12 AM
JAMAICA’S UNDER-14 Reggae Boyz will be looking to end their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys U14 Challenge Series campaign with a title as they face off against French Guiana in the final today at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
The Boyz booked their spot in the final following a comeback 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico on Friday.
The game was the first time in the competition that Jamaica had conceded a goal, with Puerto Rico taking the lead in the first half from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.
The Boyz would not be denied, however, running rampant in the second half to seal the win.
Jamaica pulled level in the 51st minute as Kelvin Brown’s shot from outside the box trickled under the goalkeeper’s arm before Kyle Hussey gave Jamaica the lead minutes later.
Brown returned in the dying minutes of the game, closing out the match in favour of the Boyz.
The other semi-final produced a seven-goal thriller, with French Guiana defeating Trinidad and Tobago 4-3 to book their spot in the final.
A short-lived lead
Matheo Francois opened the scoring for French Guiana, striking home from just inside the box to take the lead in the seventh minute of the game.
It was a short-lived lead, however, as Trinidad would roar into life through Jeremai Nanton, who pulled his team level in the 10th minute.
Tyler Hartino restored French Guiana’s lead two minutes later with a brilliant effort from outside the box before doubling his tally just before the 20th minute mark. A blotched clearance from the Trinidadian defence ricocheted off his leg and into Trinidad’s goal.
French Guiana scored their fourth just before half-time as a wonderful free kick from the boot of Guezo Atoukou nestled into the back of the net.
Trinidad would attempt the comeback in the second half, but the goals from Adasa Richardson and Jahmiah Gibbes proved to be consolation strikes in the end.
The final is set to start at 5:30 p.m.