REGGAE RULED in Trinidad and Tobago, the land of soca, yesterday as the Reggae Boyz came from behind to beat their hosts 4-2.With the win, Jamaica's first over Trinidad and Tobago since their 1998 Shell Caribbean Cup, the Boyz claimed US$35,000 in prize money and the Basdeo Panday Trophy.
Big utility player Onandi Lowe had a hat-trick and midfielder Jermaine Johnson scored the other goal for Jamaica while Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke scored a double for his team.
It was an impressive display by the Jamaicans who have now scored 10 goals in three games after failing to find the back of the net in five previous international games. Lowe stood tall as he again earned the unofficial man of the match award.
Yorke had the small partisan crowd jumping in the fifth minute when he climbed and headed home casually. The twin-island republic's lead was to last just six minutes and they were never to regain it.
Lowe proved a constant thorn in the side of the almost equally imposing Marvin Andrews and brought Jamaica level in the 11th minute. His thundering left-footer gave Ross Russell, who deputised for the absent Clayton Ince, no chance.
Two minutes later, Lowe was to put Russell in a similar situation as another left-footed blast gave beat him. By this time, the Trinidadians who, like Jamaica, used the game as a final tune-up for the semi-final stage of the Football Confederation World Cup qualifiers were wondering what hit them. Jamaica, who went into the half time break with a 2-1 advantage, took just six minutes into the second half to stretch it. Lowe was again involved in this goal as he battled for the ball in the opponents' penalty area, allowing the ball to run free to Johnson. Johnson blasted past Russell who injured himself in an attempt to save.
Yorke brought back his team within a goal of Jamaica in the 68th minute. He collected a ball with his back to the defence, slipped his marker and slotted home with ease as Donovan Ricketts advanced.
With this goal and the introduction Gary Glasgow, Trinidad and Tobago managed to remain competitive.
Lowe, who was carrying over his impressive display from Jamaica's game against Barbados on Wednesday night when he had a double, was the target of some brutal tackles as he went in search of his hat-trick. It came in the 89th minute through a solo run.
Receiving a ball just outside the area, Lowe dismissed a charging Marvin Andrews before slotting home for his hat-trick and perhaps presenting technical director Clovis de Oliveira with no choice but to play him up front.
