World Cup dream in tatters as young Boyz lose again
Published:Tuesday | July 23, 2024 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA’S UNDER-20 Reggae Boyz suffered their second defeat in as many games at the Concacaf Under-20 Championship in Mexico, yesterday, going down 3-0 to Costa Rica at the Estadio Miguel Alemán.
Claudio Montero opened the scoring with a 51st-minute penalty, before Andy Rojas (67th and 83rd) added a brace, all in the second half, to put the ‘Ticos’ in the driver’s seat to claim one of the two automatic qualifying spots, along with the United States, from Group A.
The Costa Ricans dominated possession from the start, putting Jamaica on the backfoot. They created at least three clear-cut chances but failed to get on the scoresheet before the half-time break.
Despite struggling to put their game together, Jamaica had a chance of their own midway the half but could not take advantage.
Costa Rica continued to have the better of play after the break and the Jamaicans resistance was eventually broken six minutes after the break when an attacker was brought down in the area. Montero fired home the resulting penalty to put the ‘Ticos’ in front.
Montero almost added a second on the hour mark but his effort was cleared off the line.
Costa Rica took full control of the match, doubling their lead in the 67th minute through Rojas’ low strike.
The Jamaicans’ night then went from bad to worse, as Makai Bond Welsh was shown the red card in the 71st minute after exchanging words with the referee.
The young Boyz continued to make inexplicable mistakes as the game drew to a close and Rojas eventually made it 3-0 when he volleyed home a Walter Ramirez cross from six yards.
The result left Costa Rica on four points, one point ahead of the United States, who were slated to face Cuba in a game scheduled to end after press time.
Jamaica remain at the foot of the standings without a point, but may still be in with a chance of making the quarterfinal as a third-place qualifier if they can get a win over Cuba.