JA VS GRENADA DIGICEL CUP FINALS...after 2-0 win over Gaudelope***DK***
***DK*** said
04:35 12/12 2008
But Boyz get by Guadeloupe to clinch final berth
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz gave a far from impressive team performance but came away 2-0 victors over 10-man Guadeloupe to book their place in the final of the Digicel Caribbean Championships at the National Stadium last night.
Jamaica will meet Grenada in the final set for 'The Office' on Sunday at 6:00 pm.
Cuba and Guadeloupe will face off for third place at 3:00 pm. In the feature yesterday, Jamaica's goals were scored by Oneil Thompson in the 11th minute, while speed demon Luton Shelton put the icing on the cake in the 57th.
In the seventh minute of play, Jamaica's sparse support ignited when Dane Richards slipped behind a towering Guadeloupe defence to poke the ball home. But few noticed that the second assistant had his flag raised for offside.
But the next telling move by Jamaica, the assistant referee kept his flag glued to his side when Norway-based Oneil Thompson rose majestically at the far post to head home UK-based Demar Phillips' right-sided corner to give the home team an 11th- minute lead.
Sadly though, not much happened for the Boyz on the offensive front after the goal and going into the break, even as they dominated ball possession. Their passing game lacked purpose and resembled more a friendly kick about of man in the middle.
The team's lack of edge and discord in the attacking end frustrated not only the players, but the fans who booed as the clock ticked towards the end of the first period.
And just as they finished the first half the Boyz started the second. Still, there was no sense of mission. And still the fans cursed.
But Shelton - a shadow up to this point - burst into the spotlight in the 57th minute with a daring solo effort from just midway the opposing half, outpedalled two defenders then easily slipped the ball by an advancing Franck Grandel in goal and the fans erupted.
Jamaica had two good opportunities to extend their lead in the 71st and 76th minutes. Austin had a thunderous shot blocked from 25 yards in the first attempt and Shelton, on another breakaway run, could not finish a superb chance.
Guadeloupe, not ranked by FIFA because of their status of being a French Overseas Department, progressed to the semi-finals of the region's top tourney when they finished second in Group B.
They lost their opening game going down to eliminated Cuba 1-2, defeated the defending champions Haiti 3-2 and drew 2-2 with Antigua and Barbuda.
Jamaica, ranked 83 by the world governing body of the sport, advanced to this stage when they "comfortably" topped Group A with a 2-1 win over Barbados, a 4-0 whipping of Grenada and 1-1 draw against arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago who made a surprise exit to the championship.
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz gave a far from impressive team performance but came away 2-0 victors over 10-man Guadeloupe to book their place in the final of the Digicel Caribbean Championships at the National Stadium last night.
Jamaica will meet Grenada in the final set for 'The Office' on Sunday at 6:00 pm.
Cuba and Guadeloupe will face off for third place at 3:00 pm.
In the feature yesterday, Jamaica's goals were scored by Oneil Thompson in the 11th minute, while speed demon Luton Shelton put the icing on the cake in the 57th.
In the seventh minute of play, Jamaica's sparse support ignited when Dane Richards slipped behind a towering Guadeloupe defence to poke the ball home. But few noticed that the second assistant had his flag raised for offside.
But the next telling move by Jamaica, the assistant referee kept his flag glued to his side when Norway-based Oneil Thompson rose majestically at the far post to head home UK-based Demar Phillips' right-sided corner to give the home team an 11th- minute lead.
Sadly though, not much happened for the Boyz on the offensive front after the goal and going into the break, even as they dominated ball possession. Their passing game lacked purpose and resembled more a friendly kick about of man in the middle.
The team's lack of edge and discord in the attacking end frustrated not only the players, but the fans who booed as the clock ticked towards the end of the first period.
And just as they finished the first half the Boyz started the second. Still, there was no sense of mission. And still the fans cursed.
But Shelton - a shadow up to this point - burst into the spotlight in the 57th minute with a daring solo effort from just midway the opposing half, outpedalled two defenders then easily slipped the ball by an advancing Franck Grandel in goal and the fans erupted.
Jamaica had two good opportunities to extend their lead in the 71st and 76th minutes. Austin had a thunderous shot blocked from 25 yards in the first attempt and Shelton, on another breakaway run, could not finish a superb chance.
Guadeloupe, not ranked by FIFA because of their status of being a French Overseas Department, progressed to the semi-finals of the region's top tourney when they finished second in Group B.
They lost their opening game going down to eliminated Cuba 1-2, defeated the defending champions Haiti 3-2 and drew 2-2 with Antigua and Barbuda.
Jamaica, ranked 83 by the world governing body of the sport, advanced to this stage when they "comfortably" topped Group A with a 2-1 win over Barbados, a 4-0 whipping of Grenada and 1-1 draw against arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago who made a surprise exit to the championship.