SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Jamaica trailed Costa Rica 0-2 at half time in their CONCACAF World Cup Group B fourth round game here inside a packed Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica.

The home team took the lead on six minutes when central midfielder Celso Borges headed home from point blank range for a quickly taken free kick on the right flank in Jamaica’s half of the pitch. The ball was played down the right channel to the alert Cristian Gamboa, whose first-time cross was expertly met with a firm header by Borges.

Shortly after Jamaica’s left-sided flank player Demar Phillips caressed a pass inside the home side’s penalty, but he was unable to manoeuvre the ball onto his favoured left foot and the chance went a begging.

On the half-hour mark, the home side almost doubled their lead when Kemar Lawrence dallied on the ball in a defensive left side play and was dispossessed only for goalkeeper Andre Blake to bail him out by tipping Marco Urena’s pile driver over the top for a corner.

The hosts were in full control and four minutes later the inevitable goal arrived, thanks to captain Bryan Ruiz who slammed home with his weaker right foot after Blake had parried Urena’s rasping shot into his path.

Ian Burnett