After leading 1-0 for most of the game, Jamaica’s Under-20 footballers were held on to a 1-1 draw by Paulina FC at the Itapua football complex in Paulina City yesterday morning.

Jason Wallace fired the young Reggae Boyz ahead after on six minutes, but after losing Craig Foster and Ashani Walker to red cards in the second-half, the Jamaicans conceded a late goal from Elivelton to settle for a draw.

Coach Luciano Gama said it was a good test for the team, as they will more than likely experience situations like this in Guatemala during the final round of qualifiers later this month.

“We fought against some boys who were very competitive, they wanted to beat Jamaica and the referee was not too good to us, but we need to get used to these situations because that is what we are going to find in Guatemala,” he said.

“But I want 20 guys who are going to fight for Jamaica and they fought here today…” he reiterated.

The Jamaicans went ahead on their first attack on goal as Wallace outmuscled his marker on a long kick from goalkeeper Kemar Foster, rounded goalkeeper Eduardo and slotted home.

Marvin Morgan then had a great chance to put Jamaica further ahead in the 11th minute, but decided to pass to Gillings after Wallace found him inside the area with Eduardo well out of position.

Paulina then countered immediately and should have equalised when Pit had only Foster to beat, but the Jamaican custodian made a superb block to keep his team ahead.

Foster then produced a number of another brilliant stops to deny the hosts from getting on the scoresheet.

With Paulina dominating possession, the Jamaicans showed good organisation and strength in defence, although Morgan came very close with shots in the 38th and 39th minutes.

After the break, the Jamaicans were put on the defensive for the first 10

minutes as Paulina created a number of good opportunities to get a goal.

The game started to get out of control when Walker was called for a foul on Dic and the Paulina defender’s reaction drew anger from the Jamaican players.

And in the 74th minute things went horribly wrong for the young Boyz when Dic made a strong challenge of Foster, who responded with an elbow at the big defender, leaving the referee with no choice but to eject him.

But despite coming under increasing pressure the Jamaican defence of Alvas Powell, Jhamie Hyde, Richardo Israel and Neco Brett, who reverted to right-back in the second half, continued to defend resolutely and kept their opponents chances at  a minimum.

A minute into time added, Walker clipped Para’s heel from behind, as Paulina launched a counter-attack down the right, and the Jamaican midfielder picked up his second yellow of the match.

Paulina then threw everything into attack and in the second minute of added time substitute goalkeeper Shaven Paul made a diving punch on Augusto’s cross, but the ball fell to Elivelton, who fired a low shot that deflected off a Jamaican defender and trickled across the goalline, much to the relief of the home supporters.

Paulina’s coach Elio Sizenando said the Jamaicans showed aggression but need to be more compact in defence.

“They are an aggressive team, but they make some mistakes because they take too many touches on the ball.. but they (midfield) need to be more compact and don’t leave it (defensive work) to the defenders alone,” he told the Observer.