Jamaica snatch last minute draw against Panama in U20
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica rallied from two goals down to earn a courageous draw against Panama in their Concacaf U20 Championships Group C at Estadio Universitario BUAP in Puebla, Mexico on Wednesday.
The result kept Jamaica’s hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals alive as they are on four points, one more than Canada who will play Honduras in the second game, while Panama are on one point from two games.
Jamaica are also third in the overall rankings that include teams from the other groups, only behind the USA and Mexico, both of who have won their first two games.
Desperate to earn a win after losing 3-0 to Canada on Sunday, Panama got off to a fast start and were ahead 2-0 after 22 minutes with goals from Moisés Richards in the 13th minute and Carlos Rodriguez in the 22nd minute.
It could have been worse had VAR not ruled out another goal for Panama in the 36th minute.
Jahmarie Nolan, who had scored the first goal in the 2-1 win over Honduras, pulled a goal back for Jamaica in the 62nd minute before Jaquan Brown headed home a freekick from second half substitute Jamione Lyle in time added.
It was the second time in a row that Jamaica scored on the final play of the game, in time added, after Brandon Bent had scored the winner against Honduras in time added.
The coaches had made one change to the starting team, Che Gardner of Stockport County replacing Sean Leighton.
Starting team:
Joshua Grant, Jaquan Brown, Jahmarie Nolan, Jermaine Young, Jabarie
Howell, Jahmani Bell, Che Gardner, Duwayne Burgher, Santana
Headley, Kimarly Scott, Brandon Bent
—Paul A Reid