Despite yet another nervy performance from the Reggae Boyz, they kept their Concacaf Gold Cup hopes alive after a come from behind 2-1 win over Guadeloupe on Friday at the PayPal in San Jose, California.

Following their opening 1-0 defeat to Guatemala last Tuesday, the Jamaicans needed to win to boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages. Steve McClaren made two changes with Dwayne ‘Busy’ Atkinson and Dexter Lembikisa coming in for Damion Lowe and Renaldo Cephas.

Winger Leon Bailey, who was criticised for his performance in the last game, showed the most intent to break the deadlock as he registered three shots in the opening 25 minutes.

The Aston Villa star came closest in the 24th minute with an audacious strike from inside his own half but Guadeloupe breathed a sigh of relief after seeing it come off the crossbar.

Despite the early dominance, Guadeloupe remained composed and stunned McClaren’s side in the 32nd minute. A neat team move caught the Jamaican defence sleeping and Thierry Ambrose slotted home from close range. Coincidentally, Jamaica also conceded in the 32nd minute against the Guatemalans on Tuesday.

It looked set to be another uncomfortable half time team talk for the Boyz but a late first half surge turned the game around.

In the 41st minute, Warner Brown’s great hold up play and pass set up Bailey, who equalised from 15 yards to register his seventh international goal.

Just before the halftime whistle, Demarai Gray’s cross found Jon Russell at the back post and the lanky midfielder guided his header into the bottom corner to give Jamaica a 2-1 lead. Russell’s impressive goalscoring form continues as he’s now scored three goals in his last four games.

The second half failed to produce the same edge as the first, as both teams failed to make any real headway, but the Boyz faced some tense moments in the nine minutes of stoppage time.

Captain Andre Blake was called into action in minute 91 as he acrobatically kept Ange-Freddy Plumain’s effort from going over the line. From the resulting corner, Plumain would find the back the net this time around, however, there was no Jamaican meltdown as the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.

Blake turned out to be the hero as in the 98th minute, he foiled Florian David’s backheel attempt with a smothering save to ensure the team held on for the victory.

Jamaica, now on 3 points, need a win against Panama in order to confirm qualification for the quarterfinals, Guatemala, also competing for a place in the knockout stage, will be facing Guadeloupe at the same time. Only the top two teams from the group will move on.

The Reggae Boyz have qualified for the knockout stages in their last seven appearances. The last time they failed to advance was in 2009 when they finished third on three points behind Canada and Costa Rica.

Jamaica XI: Andre Blake, Dexter Lembikisa, Richard King, Ethan Pinnock, Amari’I Bell, Joel Latibeaudiere, Dwayne Atkinson (46’), Jon Russell, Leon Bailey (85’), Warner Brown (81’), Demarai Gray (46’)

Subbed in: Renaldo Cephas (46’), Karoy Anderson (46’), Michail Antonio (81’), Kaheim Dixon (85’)