BROOKLYN, New York (CMC) — Six-time champions Jamaica signalled their intent to recapture the New York Caribbean Football Cup when they swamped Colombia 5-0 in their first match of the 2010 campaign on Sunday.

The defending champions rode roughshod over the South Americans, producing a masterful display in the final match of the triple-header at the Jefferson High School Stadium.

Colombia had no answer to the Jamaicans’ aggression and sound ball control, as they bowed meekly in the feature encounter.

Buoyed by the inclusion of at least eight current and former players from the national squad and Premier Division teams, the New York Reggae Boyz went on the rampage in the first half, registering four goals through Roland Dean (two), Jermaine Hue and Romario Campbell.

National midfielder Campbell then returned in the second half to expand Jamaica’s lead, unquestionably putting the match beyond Colombia’s grasp.

Former national midfielder Hue put the Jamaicans in charge, just seven minutes from kick-off, when he blasted past Colombian goalkeeper Jonathan Martinez.

Ten minutes later, Dean, a striker for local club Tivoli Gardens, capitalised on a looping diagonal ball from the left flank, by heading past Martinez.

Campbell then expanded the lead in the 31st minute by directing a shot, 10 yards outside the penalty box, over Martinez’ head.

Dean returned four minutes later by nudging in from close range to give the Jamaicans a solid 4-0 lead.

Jamaica did not relent in the second half, as Campbell sent the Colombians further into misery with a delightful chip to complete the rout.

The Jamaican coaching staff then resorted to lessening the tempo, making several substitutions and allowing their players to demonstrate their football dexterity with little inclination to seek more goals.

“Exceptional performance!” head coach Norbert Radjpaul exclaimed in a CMC Sports interview.

“The Cup is for us to lose. We always want to have a good product because we take it personal.”

Colombia’s head coach Pascual Bermudez said while he expected his team to perform better, he admitted his team was no match for the potent Jamaicans, especially on the playing surface.

“This is a top team,” he said. “We’re not accustomed to playing on this type of field. We play on the turf.”

In the other matches on Sunday, Antigua and Barbuda trounced Dominica 2-0 and the Dominican Republic, replacing Grenada who withdrew from the tournament at the last minute, beat St Lucia 1-0.

Jari Jackson and Kelly Frederick scored for Antigua and Barbuda, while Herman Sanchez recorded the Dominican Republic’s lone goal.

This Sunday’s matches feature another triple header, with St Kitts and Nevis battling Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana duelling St Lucia, and last season’s runners-up St Vincent and the Grenadines opposing Antigua and Barbuda in the final game.