KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s latest quest for qualification to the FIFA World Cup took a blow after they were ambushed 2-0 by the Dick Advocaat-coached Curacao in their Concacaf final round Group B game at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in  Willemstad on Friday.

Curacao made full use of their few scoring chances, scoring in either half to pull the rug from under the feet of the Jamaicans as they celebrated Curacao Day, a public holiday.

It was Jamaica’s first loss in the series and saw them slip to second in the group from which just the winners will qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup to be staged by Canada, the United States (USA) and Mexico.

Curacao who are seeking their first World Cup qualification took over the lead with seven points at the half-way stage of the round, one more than Jamaica’s six with Trinidad and Tobago in third place on four points after they beat Bermuda 3-0 also on Friday.

Livano Comenencia gave the Dutch colony the lead in the 14th minute when his shot from outside the area beat goalkeeper Andre Blake before Kenji Gorre doubled the advantage in the 68th minute on a counter attack to drive the final nail into Jamaica’s coffin.

It was the first goals Jamaica was conceding in their third game in the round.

Jamaica thought they had pulled a goal back right at the end of regulation when Richard King scored but the goal was wiped off after an intervention by VAR.

Jamaica will hope to rebound on Tuesday when they host Bermuda at the National Stadium.

– Paul Reid