Panama defeat Jamaica 2-0
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were humbled 2-0 by bogey team Panama in their opening game in the fourth round of the CONCACAF World Cup-qualifying campaign here inside the National Stadium earlier tonight.
The Central Americans dominated the first half against a listless home team and went ahead three minutes from the interval when Armando Cooper curled home a free kick from the right side of Jamaica’s defensive third. They were a touch fortunate as Jamaican goalkeeper DuWayne Kerr misjudged the flight of the ball which sailed over his head and into the far side of the goal.
The home side struggled to connect with their passes and were forced into numerous long punts down field which created very little danger to Panama’s defence.
Seven minutes into the second half an attempted cross by Alberto Quintero from the left side into the danger area was turned home inadvertently by Jamaican defender Wes Morgan, much to the delight of the visitors.
The Boyz mounted a few anxious moments in the closing stages, particularly through substitute Dever Orgill who went close, not once but twice, in his few minutes on the field.
In a tough Group B considered the Group of Death, the Boyz have given up three crucial points and will be under pressure when they face Haiti in Port-au-Prince next Tuesday.
The group is completed by Costa Rica, who were scheduled to meet Haiti in San Jose earlier tonight.
Only the two top teams from each of the three fourth-round groups will advance to the final round of qualifying for the Russia World Cup Finals.
The Boyz are slated to depart the island tomorrow for Haiti.
Ian Burnett