Reggae Boyz in seventh heaven

Jamaica's forward Marlon King (second right) is held by Bahamas' central defender, Gavin Christie (right), as he tries to control the ball in the CONCACAF second round, first-leg World Cup qualifying first-leg fixture at the National Stadium yesterday. Jamaica hammered Bahamas 7-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz showed very little ill effects from a shocking loss to Grenada midweek, as they thrashed Bahamas 7-0, kicking off the bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa in explosive fashion at the National Stadium yesterday.

While many fans of the local outfit were left with their mouths wide open following the news of a loss to the eastern Caribbean team earlier this week, the Jamaicans recovered to put in an awesome performance as they dominated Bahamas from the opening to the final whistle.

Thrilled with the result, Brazilian technical director, René Simoes, after admitting to being ashamed of the Grenada result, once again stressed the importance of not taking teams lightly.

Professionalism

"The ball is round, we could not have approached this game as we did the Grenada game. If you allow teams the opportunity these days, even if you consider them weak, they will beat you. The plan was to go out there, be professional and win, so it was a job well done."

He added: "We are not exactly where we want to be but the team is getting better.

"The intensity of the team today was good but we made a couple of bad decisions, but I think that will come with more games."

Reggae Boy captain Ricardo Gardner capped off an impressive start for the Jamaicans when he collected the ball in front of goal from an Evan Taylor cross and fired a shot which deflected past Bahamian centre back Gavin Christie and into the net in the 17th minute.

With the lion's share of the possession, it didn't take the Jamaicans long to find the net again as midfielder Demar Phillips collected a well-weighted pass out of midfield from Rudolph Austin before blasting wide of Bahamian keeper, Dwayne Whylly, in the 23rd minute.

Phillips would turn provider 10 minutes later when he simply spirited away from his defenders to cross the ball into the path of Marlon King, who coasted in for a simple tap-in to close the first half 3-0.

There would be no let up for Bahamas in the second half as they soon found themselves struggling to keep pace with forward Luton Shelton. After putting the ball straight into the arms of Whylly after a promising run from midfield soon after the restart, Shelton made amends in the 51st minute when he only needed a touch to ease the ball past the keeper and score from a Gardner cross.

NO LET UP

The striker was once again on target from close range in the 66th minute after receiving an Andy Williams knock down in the area. A poorly cleared effort from the goalkeeper, who failed to collect the ball from a corner and saw Williams get himself on the scoresheet after rocketing the rebound into goal from the edge of the area in the 75th minute.

Substitute Omar Daley completed the rout for the Jamaicans in the 89th minute when he drifted off the right flank, cut across the area and the spreadeagled Whylly before blasting into the empty goal.

In limited forays upfield, Jamaican custodian Ricketts easily gobbled up Bahamas' best effort at goal - a header from Nesley Jean in the 90th minute.

The teams will play each other next Wednesday in the second leg of the qualifiers at the multi-purpose stadium in Trelawny.

Jamaica 7