KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Reggae Boyz made a winning start to their Concacaf World Cup second round Group E campaign after edging the Dominican Republic 1-0 at the National Stadium in Kingston on Thursday.

Shemar Nicholson’s first half goal saw Jamaica join Guatemala in the lead in the points standings, both on three points after the Central Americans hammered Dominica 6-0 in their opening game on Wednesday.

Jamaica had several chances in the second half to add to their first half lead,  but Bobby Reid missed a penalty in the 73rd minute as 41- year-old goalkeeper Miguel Lloyd pushed his effort on to the upright.

Lloyd also came up big later when he left his goal line to stop the dangerous Renaldo Cephas who led a break away with substitute Deshane Beckford in the 78th minute.

Jamaica led 1-0 at half time thanks to a goal from Shemar Nicholson in the 16th minute, his 17th for the Reggae Boyz.

Reid started the move when he picked up a ball from a corner by the Dominicans, played it to Cephas on the left wing and the Turkish- based winger dribbled into the Dominican Republic area, drawing two defenders to himself before playing the ball into the centre of the area where Nicholson gave goalkeeper Lloyd no chance with a low hard shot.

— Paul A Reid