Senior Boyz bounce back with 3-2 win over El Salvador

San Salvador, El Salvador — It was a hostile environment. There were questionable refereeing decisions, and inevitably, the expulsion of a Jamaican player.

Nonetheless, Jamaica’s senior Reggae Boyz overcame them all to score what is believed to be the first ever friendly international victory in Central America when they defeated El Salvador 3-2 here at the Cuscatlan Stadium on Tuesday night.

Led by a first half brace from the New York Red Bulls winger Dane Richards, and the other by his Major League Soccer colleague, striker Omar Cummings from the Colorado Rapids early in the second half, the Reggae Boyz rebounded in a big way from their surprise 0-2 loss to Venezuela at the Montego Bay Sports Complex last Friday night, despite playing the last half hour without central midfielder Damion Williams, who was ejected for two bookable offences.

The hosts got their goals through Jaime Alas in controversial circumstances approaching the half-time break, and Lester Blanco in the second minute of time added.

Substitute Osael Romero also missed a 79th minute penalty after Guatemalan referee Elmar Rodas had made a harsh handball call against Javaughn Watson, who had a good game for the victors.

Head coach Theodore Whitmore had demanded a swift and positive reaction to last Friday's loss, his first at home, and his Boyz delivered, which left the hard taskmaster somewhat pleased.

"I think it was a much better performance from the last game and this is something we always stress on, the next game must always be better than the last one," he told the Observer at game's end.

Related story:

U-20 Boyz suffer bitter defeat to Guatemala

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