Boyz pass Cuba test

By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter

Jamaica's double goalscorer Onandi Lowe barges his way between two Cuban players during the friendly international between the two teams at the National Stadium yesterday. Jamaica won 4-1. - Winston Sill

THE Reggae Boyz emerged with passing grades in their mock exam against Cuba at the national Stadium yesterday, six days before the real thing against the United States on Saturday.

Two goals from striker Onandi Lowe and one each from Ricardo Gardner and Andy Williams gave the Jamaican supporters something to smile about while the small Cuban gathering got a consolation strike from Manuel Bobadilla Gonzalez. While Jamaica deserved the win it was not a totally dominant performance from the local players who largely controlled the first half while surrendering the second to the Cubans.

Technical director Clovis de Oliveira said he was pleased with the performance of the team. He also praised the spirit and commitment of the recalled duo of Frank Sinclair and Fitzroy Simpson while venting his anger at Walter Boyd, who despite being flown into the country by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and being invited to the squad failed to join camp.

Declaring that he was not angry while the opposite was clear, de Oliveira said all the people who kept asking him about Boyd should now ask the player if he wants to play for Jamaica.

Jamaica started with the unfamiliar 4-4-2 formation which saw Frank Sinclair playing in central defence with Ian Goodison and Simpson returning to midfield where he shared space and duties with Theodore Whitmore, Jamie Lawrence and Williams. The Boyz took some time getting used to this formation especially in defence where there were awkward moments between Goodison and Sinclair. Goodison did not seem to trust his partner and did not give him enough room to operate.

The locals had the first real scoring opportunity in the seventh minute when Gardner got a break on the edge of the area. Instead of shooting or going inside, he cut to the left and tried to knock the ball back in.

Cuba had their first real opportunity in the 12th minute when Alberto Delgado Perez who caused a number of problems for the Jamaica defence, controlled a ball on his chest on the right flank before dribbling around Goodison and crossing low across Jamaica goal. Perez's cross was missed by Rey Angel Martinez Mendive while their eventual goalscorer Gonzalez kicked high from inside the six-yard box.

Cuba had another chance in the 20th minute when a bad pass by Gardner was picked off by the Cubans. The ball ended up with Perez who with a deceptive move left Gardner on the seat of his pants before chipping towards goal. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts gathered on his second attempt to avert danger.

Just a minute later Jamaica were 1-0 up with Lowe getting a glancing right-footer to count from a Williams cross.

The second goal was to come in the 34th minute from Gardner. The Bolton Wanderers left-sided player struck from just outside the 18-yard box on a return pass from Lowe with the outside of the left boot. The ball curled away from Odelin Molina Sanchez and nestled in the left corner of the goal.

Six minutes later it was 3-0. Williams whose first touch rarely let him down on the day, timed his run perfectly to collect a lofted cross from Whitmore on the left. After controlling, he shuffled forward and let fly a left-footed bomber which gave the goalkeeper no chance as it hurried into the the left upright to send Jamaica into the half time break with a 3-0 lead.

The second half saw Jamaica making two changes introducing Chris Dawes for Jamie Lawrence and Ricardo Fuller for Barry Hayles who never had a great game. Fuller did his cause little help with his performance.

Jamaica's play while it was not the smoothest, most cohesive display by the team, dipped in quality and intensity. The aggressive Cubans took the fight to Jamaica and scored a well-crafted goal in the 60th minute through Gonzalez.

Cuba almost pulled back another just a minute later when Perez was robbed by Ricketts who dived bravely at his feet.

Two minutes later, Williams was replaced by Hyde who gave an improved performance. He almost provided a goal for Lowe in the 67th minute when his cross was headed onto the crossbar by the powerful Kansas City Wizards striker.

The game began to die a slow death with 14 minutes to go and some spectators in the half full stadium began to make their way towards some of the exits. The only real life the game took on after that was when Fuller who received a cross from Fabian Taylor who replaced the injured Fitzroy Simpson.

Fuller was fouled by Manuel Elejalde Alvarez and referee Peter Prendergast pointed to the spot. With Lowe who was wearing the captain's armband stepping up to take the penalty there were loud shouts of no by the crowd who remembered his miss in Mexico. He made no mistake this time hitting the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal as the goalkeeper went the wrong way.

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