As it was in November, the Reggae Boyz are a game away from securing a spot at the FIFA World Cup after registering a 1-0win over Oceania’s New Caledonia in their intercontinental playoff semifinal on Thursday at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.

An 18th minute strike from Bailey Cadamarteri was enough to give the Jamaicans the win and continue their quest to end their 28 year World Cup drought.

They will now meet DR Congo in next Tuesday’s final with the winner guaranteed a place at this summer’s showpiece, joining Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.

Jamaica will look to get over the line for the second time in as many months after missing out on automatic qualification, finishing behind Curaçao in Group B of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.

In his first competitive game in charge, interim head coach Rudolph Speid handed starts to debutants Ephron Mason-Clark and Andre Brooks, making seven changes to the team that drew 0–0 with Curacao at the National Stadium.

Left back Ronaldo Webster, in his first official start for Jamaica, was dangerous in the opening stages and it was his free kick that led to the opener.

Webster’s powerful low strike from 20 yards proved too much for New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine who pushed the ball straight to Cadamarteri who tapped in the rebound from close range.

New Caledonia tried to respond late in the first half with two efforts from the halfway line trying to catch goalkeeper Andre Blake out but both failed to hit the target.

In the second half, clear cut chances were hard to come by but midway the second half, Webster almost put the game to bed when he was one on one with Nyikeine but the shot stopped foiled his chipped effort.

In their attempt to find an equaliser, Gerard Waia had the best chance for New Caledonia in the 87th minute with a firm strike from close range but Blake managed to push it away and keep the clean sheet.

Starters: Andre Blake, Joel Latibeaudiere, Richard King (84’), Ethan Pinnock, Ronaldo Webster, Isaac Hayden, Karoy Anderson, Andre Brooks (46’), Tyreece Campbell (66’), Ephron Mason-Clark (84’), Bailey Cadamarteri (79’)

Subs in: Bobby Reid (46’), Leon Bailey (66’), Jamal Lowe (79’), Amari’i Bell (84’), Damion Lowe (84’)

Unused subs: Jahmali Waite, Amal Knight, Kyle Ming, Tyrese Hall, Kasey Palmer, Renaldo Cephas, Norman Campbell

– Daniel Blake