ACHIEVING two historic feats in one night is not a common occurrence. Therefore, when it happens we must recognise it and give our heartiest commendations to the individuals responsible.

Jamaica’s senior national football team — more affectionately known as the Reggae Boyz — inked the country’s name in the history books when they defeated the United States 2-1 in the semi-final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Wednesday evening.

It was the first time that Jamaica were beating the USA on their home soil, and the victory made us the first Caribbean nation to advance to the final of this tournament being played in the USA.

Of significant note also is the fact this was the first time in 47 years that the USA were losing at home to a Caribbean team.

The Reggae Boyz now carry with them into the final Sunday against Mexico the hopes and dreams of not only Jamaica, but the entire Caribbean. Our hope is that they will do what it takes on Sunday to lift the Gold Cup as such a triumph would elevate respect for the region in the eyes of world football.

Before Wednesday’s game not many football analysts gave Jamaica a chance of overcoming the US, which has been one of the CONCACAF teams to have consistently qualified for the World Cup since 1990.

But the Reggae Boyz, obviously driven by a will to succeed, showed that they are serious competitors and that, under German head coach Mr Winfried Schaefer, they have improved significantly.

Anyone who watched the game will admit that the Reggae Boyz played intelligent football and, most important, did not panic when the USA pulled a goal back in the 48th minute after going to the half-time break two goals down.

Before the game, US coach Mr Jurgen Klinsmann was reported as saying that this Jamaica team was the best prepared in the tournament, given their participation in the Copa America tournament in Chile last month.

Locally, many grandstand coaches never saw the strategy being employed by Mr Schaefer in Chile. Therefore, they hurled their usual criticisms when the Boyz went down 0-1 in their three games in the group stage.

To us, though, it was clear as day that Mr Schaefer was using the Copa America to fine-tune the team for the Gold Cup and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

As we pointed out in this space at the time, the Reggae Boyz demonstrated character and an approach befitting champions throughout the Copa America.

People with knowledge of football were able to look beyond those three losses to see a team that was growing in confidence and employing strategies that are vital to competition at the highest level.

Readers will recall that our sport editor, Mr Ian Burnett, who was with the team in Chile, reported that the Boyz exhibited tactical awareness and discipline, positive ball possession, smooth transition play and prudent use of the width of the field.

We acknowledge that their growth and development as a tight unit is far from over.

However, we are encouraged by their team spirit and never-say-die attitude. As we celebrate their march into world football’s history book on Wednesday night, we do so with great awareness that the Boyz have one more hurdle on that road to creating further history.

We therefore wish them well on Sunday and hope that, as coach Schaefer is quoted as saying, “Bob Marley comes after the match”.