PASADENA, California – Jamaica currently trail Mexico 0-1 at the half-time interval in their crucial Copa America Centenario second-round Group C encounter here inside a packed Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez headed his team in the lead in the 18th minute, and though the Reggae Boyz have responded well in creating a host of chances, they have proven wasteful in front of goal.

As early as the sixth minute, Clayton Donaldson was sent through on goal, but from an acute angle he dragged his right footer wide of a relieved Guillermo Ochoa’s right hand post.

And on the half-hour mark Donaldson headed a Giles Barnes left-sided cross high and wide of the mark and from thereon the Boyz should have at least drawn level, had it not been for their profligacy.

A sweet counterattack through the middle by Michael Hector saw the ball sprayed out left to Jobi McAnuff, and his cut back cross rolled nicely for Garath McCleary to slam against a retreating player, with Ochoa at his mercy.

Before long the Boyz were at it again, driving behind their Mexican defence but neither Hector nor McAnuff could find the target from six yards out.

And with the half almost at an end, Hector stole possession of the ball high up the pitch and he relayed a pass to Donaldson who went down in a heap without testing Ochoa in goal.

The Reggae Boyz must win today’s game if they hope to advance to the quarter-finals after Venezuela, who had beaten them 1-0 on Sunday, eliminated Uruguay earlier in the day with a 1-0 victory at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Only the top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals.

Ian Burnett