Boyz hanging by a thread

Jamaica couldn’t break another Central American curse.

And now, their World Cup qualifying chances are all but over.

The Reggae Boyz were beaten 3-2 by Panama in their World Cup qualifying game yesterday afternoon at a spectator-less Estadio Rommel Fernandez. Michail Antonio gave the visitors the lead in the fifth minute, but a Javain Brown own goal in the 43rd minute combined with goals from Eric Davis in the 51st minute and Anibal Mello in the 68th minute completed the turnaround for the Panamanians. Second-half substitute Andre Gray scored three minutes before full time, but it proved to be only a consolation as Jamaica saw any faint hopes of a campaign recovery slip further away.

Jamaica were trying to earn a win in Panama for the first time in World Cup qualifying in their fourth attempt dating back to 2004.

Interim coach Paul Hall made changes to the starting team that was beaten by Mexico on Thursday, with Cory Burke and Bobby Reid added to the line-up in place of Junior Flemmings and Lamar Walker. Adrian Mariappa was recalled into the defence for the suspended Damion Lowe.

The match started brightly enough in the first five minutes when Ravel Morrison earned a penalty via a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, with him adjudged to have been pushed in the box by a Panamanian defender. Antonio calmly slotted his shot in the bottom corner to give the Boyz the lead for the second time in as many games.

Just as soon as the Boyz got the lead, VAR was needed again in the 18th minute, but this time, it helped Panama to earn a penalty after Morrison’s shoulder charge on a Panamanian player was judged to have been a foul. However, Eric Davis’ low shot was saved by goalkeeper Andre Blake, preserving their slim lead.

Jamaica did have chances to double their lead in the first half. Morrison did manage to cause some problems for the Panamanian defence, weaving his way through, but his final shot was tame and rolled into the arms of goalkeeper Luis Mejia. However, two minutes before the break, Jamacia would rue the failed opportunities as a cross from the right side went beyond Blake and Brown’s attempted headed clearance went into his net, much to his and the team’s frustration.

The equaliser was the catalyst that sparked Panama’s revival in the second half. Jamaica lost the ball in midfield, which led to a Panamanian counter-attack. Davis, who missed the penalty would make amends as he followed up on his initial blocked shot to fire past Blake in the corner.

Seventeen minutes later, the home side would double their lead as Rolando Blackburn kept the ball in play from the corner and Mello fired home from close range to complete the comeback. Gray managed to reduce the deficit to one with three minutes left, but it was too little, too late.

The result leaves Jamaica 10 points behind Panama, who are now on 17 points, solidifying their fourth-place position. To get to the fourth place playoff spot, Jamaica must claim maximum points from their four remaining matches and hope that Panama lose all four, Costa Rica (13 points) lose at least three, and El Salvador (nine) lose one of their four.

Canada lead the standings with 22 points. They are followed by United States and Mexico on 18 each.

Jamaica’s final game of the window will be against Costa Rica on Wednesday at the National Stadium. Costa Rica drew with Mexico yesterday.

Jamaica: Andre Blake, Ethan Pinnock, Ravel Morrison (Kevin Stewart 65th), Daniel Johnson (Lamar Walker 56th), Michail Antonio., Kemar Lawrence (Andre Gray 65th minute), Javain Brown, Devon Williams, Cory Burke (Junior Flemmings 45th minute), Bobby Reid, Adrian Mariappa

Final Stats

PAN ↔JAM

Shots 16 ↔7

Shots on Goal 5 ↔4

Possession 64% ↔ 36%

Pass Accuracy 85% ↔68%

Fouls 11 ↔16

Yellow Card 0 ↔2

Red Card 0 ↔0