ANTALYA, Turkey — Strikers Dane Kelly and Maalique Foster have at least one thing in common.

The two were getting their first international goals for Jamaica in an engaging 2-2 draw with South Korea at Mardan Stadium here yesterday.

Reno 1868 FC’s Kelly fired Jamaica into the lead in the friendly contest in the fifth minute, while Portmore United’s Foster got the equalising goal in the 72nd.

A brace by South Korea’s Kim Shinwook in the 55th and the 63rd minutes came between the strikes from the Jamaicans.

“I am happy to get my first goal for Jamaica and to get it that early, which set the tone and put them (South Korea) under that pressure, was very good.

“Also, I think that ball that Ladale (Richie) gave me was a very good one,” said the 26-year-old, who is close to making a move to a club in India.

Kelly scored by first holding up the ball, then turning South Korea captain Jang Hyunsoo, before firing powerfully home left-footed from just inside the box.

The move, he claims, typifies his style.

“That’s my game. I like the ball over the top and I would try to hold off the defender, then try to run around. In this case I also got a grip on him and turned him, and I just finished it off,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

With his personal exploits aside, Kelly hailed his teammates for a job well done.

“I thought everybody did good, even the guys who came in… I believe it was a good performance though we could have kept the ball more… even though some of the guys have not played together for a while. overall, I thought it was a good performance,” he noted.

Kelly, the former Charleston Battery striker, also paused to salute the debutants in the team yesterday.

“They did good, and when you get called to the national team that’s what you have to do, and that is to come here and prove that you should be a part of the team, and to be honest, I thought they did that,” he stated.

Kelly paid credit where it was due even to the opponent.

“I think they (South Korea) were good as they kept the ball, tried to run behind us, and they tried to get the ball wide and get their crosses in. But as I said, we stood our ground and kept them at bay,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Foster, 21, was beyond himself with glee for getting his second goal in as many games here on tour.

“It was a great experience to know that I went out there and got the equaliser… I am really feeling good about it and the work just start. All I have to do is keep working harder,” he noted.

The former Jamaica College player says he has learnt valuable lessons since arriving in Turkey.

“Against South Korea, the pace of the game is much faster, but it was great to be playing with all of the overseas-based players because I have been learning from them… I have to now go back home and work hard and hopefully I will get another call,” said Foster.

He had scored in the exhibition match against top flight Romanian club CS Gaz Metan Medias, which ended 1-1.

— Sean Williams