Jamaica booked their ticket to next year’s Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup semi-finals and a place in next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup after registering a 1-0 win over Suriname in front of a few spectators inside the National Stadium last evening.

Cory Burke, who opened his goal-scoring account against Guyana in Jamaica’s 4-2 extra-time victory in Guyana last month, was the man on target yet again after quarter of an hour.

But what appeared to be a fairly simple task for the Reggae Boyz inside the first half-hour was made a lot harder when second-generation player, defender Damion Lowe, son of former Reggae Boy Onandi Lowe, trampled on a grounded player and was sent for an early shower by Bahamian referee Wilson DaCosta in the 33rd minute.

The hosts naturally lost their momentum and head coach Theodore Whitmore was forced to reshuffle his 4-4-2 formation by pulling Rosario Harriott from right wing back to centre half, while pulling Owayne Gordon from right midfield to right back.

Eventually, just before the half-time interval, Whitmore lost his patience with Dino Williams, who was left as the point man after the ejection of Lowe. But the striker failed to spark and appeared more of a hindrance than an asset. He was replaced by right back Oneil Fisher and Burke was asked to retake his place as the point man in he attack.

Jamaica threatened seriously for the first time when Dino Williams was sent through behind the defence, but the Montego Bay United striker could only drag his right-footed grounder wide of the near post.

The opener came shortly afterwards when a well-weighted diagonal pass from deep in midfield to the left flank was expertly taken in his stride by Gordon, and after racing into the penalty area, he intelligently pulled the ball back for Burke to steer home from eight yards.

Immediately after, he raced into the area and appeared certain to double Jamaica’s lead, but after going wide of goalkeeper Claidel Kohimor, he overhit his intended cross to Dino Williams with the goal gaping.

Jamaica suffered somewhat in the second half, but still managed to hold their opponents at bay with some degree of comfort as Suriname appeared short of potency in attack.

In fact, Michael Binns went closest to doubling the advantage when he crashed a left-footer against the base of the upright from a deflected corner.

And Romario Williams, who entered the field with 20 minutes left to play, entertained the sparse gathering with his technical ability and composure. With his first touch from a corner, he side volleyed just over the horizontal, and shortly after he weaved between a few defenders on the left flank before crossing into the danger area.

With 10 minutes left, Andre Blake, captain of Jamaica’s senior team for the first time, kept the Boyz in front with a spectacular reflex save from a melee inside the penalty area.

At the end it was just reward for defending champions Jamaica, who have now punched their ticket to next July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States, as well as the semi-finals of the Caribbean Cup, which is slated for a month earlier.

Teams:

Jamaica — Andre Blake, Dicoy Williams, Rosario Harriott, Damion Lowe (ejected 33rd), Ewan Grandison, Dwayne Ambursely, Owayne Gordon (Ladale Richie 90th+3), Shaun Francis, Michael Binns, Dino Williams (Oneil Fisher 43rd), Cory Burke (Romario Williams 70th).

Booked: Francis (30th), Burke (48th), Williams (89th)

Subs not used: Ryan Thompson, Andrew Vanzie, Allan Ottey, Omar Holness

Suriname — Claidel Kohinor, Saverio Adenie, Joel Baja, Gilberto Eind, Guno Kwasi, Albert Nibte, Stefano Russell, Roxey Fer, Dimitrie Apai, Sergino Eduard, Galgyto Taleo (Ivanildo Rozenblad 72nd)

Subs not used: Obrendo Huiswound, Mitchell Kisoor, Gregory Pokie, Sorencio Juliaans, Gillermo Faerber, Miguel Darson

Booked: Fer (85th)

Referee: Wilson DaCosta (The Bahamas)

Assistant Referees: Jeremy Holland, Sean Palmer (The Bahamas)

Fourth Official: Moeth Gaymes

Match Commissary: Mark Campbell

Referee Assessor: Abilio Perez Fournier