Jamaican defender Ian Goodison (5) climbs high to challenge goalkeeper Odelin Molina for a cross during the friendly match between Jamaica and Cuba at the National Stadium yesterday. The game ended 1-1. THE Reggae Boyz yesterday kept their unbeaten record at the National Stadium intact after playing to a come-from-behind 1-1 draw with neighbours Cuba.
Sergui Prado opened the scoring for Cuba in the 44th minute while Jamaica responded through Fitzroy Simpson in the 62nd minute.
The result was not an accurate reflection of the way the game flowed as Jamaica should have won by at least three clear goals but the 12,000 fans who showed up would have gotten the impression that the Boyz were back in business following dismal displays in the five previous friendlies.
The locals took the game to the Cubans who seemed content with counter-attacking, which they did down the flanks as wingbacks Tyrone Marshall and Simpson often went too far forward.
Jamaica could have had the lead after just seven minutes. A beautiful build up involving Boyd and Theodore Whitmore ended with Boyd releasing the two-goal World Cup hero who with only Odelin Molina in goal to beat, fired wide.
The confident play of the Jamaicans continued with each player showing good touch and passing skills. Jamaica went close to scoring again in the 14th minute when the injured but dangerous-looking Boyd received a ball from about 30 yards out from Powell. The forward beat his man on the turn advanced a few paces and blasted a left-footer just high.
While Jamaica continued to take the action to Cuba, the visitors were content with absorbing the pressure and attempting to hit on the counter through the quick Prado, Lester More and Alberto Delgado.
Jamaica continued to create and miss chances. Another good chance was to come Jamaica's way 10 minutes before half time when Boyd received a pass from Ian Goodison, knocked the ball between his challenger's legs, ran past another and shot wide with the injured right foot.
Cuba took the lead in the 44th minute when Prado, who was played onside by Simpson, got by Lowe, stayed in front of him and beat Ricketts who appeared stuck to his line.
Coming out for the second half, the Cubans looked a more confident and purposeful team, taking the early attack to Jamaica. This optimistic start was soon to be checked as the Boyz regained their posessional advantage.
Four minutes into the half Boyd was fed a defence-splitting pass by Whitmore but he could not capitalise. After getting away from a challenger and the goalkeeper, Boyd who drifted to the right of the goal kicked into the side netting of an almost empty goal with the right foot.
Two minutes later Boyd was again involved when he collected a flick on from his strike partner Burton and pumped a solid left-footer on goal but it was directed straight at Molina. It did not look like a goalscoring day for Boyd.
Jamaica got an injection of life in the 57th minute when Andy Williams replaced Powell who by this time was fading into the background. Williams showed a lot of hustle vision with his passing as the home team stepped up another gear.
The Boyz got their much-deserved equaliser in the 62nd minute when Simpson made amends for his earlier error. Collecting a long pass from Dixon out of defence as Burton and Boyd made their way out of an offside position. Simpson raced towards goal before blasting past Molina.
Jamaica could have doubled their count three minutes later when the impressive Marshall worked his way down the right falnk and provided a perfect cross on the head of Williams who missed from 10 yards. That did not deter the locals as the raid on the Cuban goal continued.
Williams set up Burton 10 minutes later with a looping pass but he fired just high. Five minutes later Simpson picked out Boyd with a well-weighted cross to which the forward responded with spectacular overhead kick which went just wide.
With the game winding down both teams made a number of changes but the one which really had the most impact was when young striker Dwayne Richards replaced Boyd who left with a round of applause. The little striker fired at every oportunity. On one such occasion a rebound of his was collected by Goodison who had time to pick his spot, faked the goalkeeper but still missed with just a minute to go.
Despite not capping an encouraging performance with a win technical director Clovis de Oliveira was pleased with the showing. "I think this is a good start for us and I think that we will be able to do something," he said at the end of the game adding that his team deserved to win.
"Of course we deserved to win, very clearly. Not only myself but everbody saw how many chances we got. Very clear chances and in my point of view we should have won the game," concluded the man who has had just three days of training prior to the match.
Cuba's William Bennett said it was a good game and had praises for the Jamaican team. "The game was a very good one. Jamaica played very well and Cuba too.
"Jamaica have very good players young and intelligent and I suppose in two or three weaks the team will move to a high level and be ready for St Vincent. Jamaica is a very good team."
