Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter 
Jamaica defender Robert Scarlett (right) attempts to clear a ball under pressure from Costa Rican goalscorer William Sunsing during a World Cup qualifying game at the National Stadium between the two teams. Costa Rica won the game 1-0. - IAN ALLEN/Staff Photographer
IT TOOK an early goal from Costa Rica to beat a hungry and impressive young Jamaica team at the National Stadium yesterday in their final World Cup qualifying game for the 2002 World Cup in front a group of 7,000 die-hards and Costa Ricans fans.
The already qualified Costa Ricans ended the qualifiers top of the table in the CONCACAF region with 23 points and a record of seven wins, two draws and one loss. Jamaica finished fifth of the six teams with eight points and a record of two wins, two draws and six losses.
Jamaica which had a five-year unbeaten record at the "office" until it was surrendered to Mexico, started brightly and looked much sharper that their more seasoned opponents. The left-sided combination of wingback Robert Scarlett and Winston Griffiths were like devils terrorising the Costa Rican team throughout.
The duo were instrumental in creating Jamaica's first chance in the third minute with Scarlett collected a pass from Griffiths following a build up involving Tyrone Marshall and Chris Dawes. Scarlett's low cross got to Fabian Davis but he could not beat Erick Lonnis.
A minute later Costa Rica were in the lead as they used the fast break to good effect. With Jamaica committing to attack, William Sunsing broke away down the left flank, fired past the advancing Aaron Lawrence in goal as Marco McDonald, the closest defender to him, was caught in two minds.
The Boyz never allowed their head to drop as they continued to take the action to the visitors - in style. Other half chances came Jamaica's way as Scarlett had a left-footed blast which went just high.
Eight minutes later, Griffiths and Scarlett combined once more this time creating a chance for Marshall. Marshall's header from Scarlett's cross saw Lonnis diving and desperately swatting the ball like an annoying fly, out of his goal.
Jamaica moved the ball slickly from defence to forward as McDonald looked particularly sharp in defence. The midfield trio of Dawes, Griffiths and Davis looked commanding with the debutante Keith Kelly playing just behind the forwards showing vision and an abundance of ability.
Costa Rica could have gone 2-0 up in the 35th minute when Winston Parkes who was kept under control by McDonald got a rare break on a header but put his effort high. As the half wound down to a close, the Jamaicans continued to delight, especially Griffiths and Scarlett but the front pair of Andy Williams and Wolde Harris just could not get the vital strike.
The Boyz almost equalised on the stroke of half time as Davis picked out Kelly who had a diving effort saved by Lonnis as they marched off the field to an unprompted standing ovation.
After the first two minutes in which the Costa Ricans went close to scoring twice, the Jamaicans again took control of the game. Marshall had another chance to score in the 48th minute but was thrown off by a deflection. He stretched and got his effort high.
Soon after a long-range effort from Harris went just wide. A minute later Harris misread a low cross from Griffiths which passed agonisingly close to the goal.
Ten minutes into the half, Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimares decided to introduce the 1990 World Cup veteran Hernan Medford in place of young Winston Parkes before following that up with the injection of Steven Bryce and Giovani Jara for Sunsing and Harold Wallace respectively.
The chances continued to come Jamaica's way particularly from crosses. In the 62nd minute Harris failed to get onto the end of a Williams cross. Five minutes later another Williams cross was deflected just out of the reach of Marshall who went sliding in.
Just a minute later after a good interchange with Kelly, Harris fired just inches above the crossbar from an angular position just outside the 18-yard box. Jamaica made their three changes beginning in the 70th minute as Jermaine Hue replaced the limping Kelly.
Fabian Dawkins went on soon after for Marshall before Irvino English followed in place of Davis. The team lost its rhythm then as the Costa Ricans took control of the game from there on.
The locals could still have snatched a point in time added as a Williams header was just cleared by Lonnis.
"I am disappointed that we did not win it. I believed that we did enough to win it. I am pretty satisfied with what I saw here today and I keep saying that we have talent here and that we have capable players," said co-temporary technical director Carl Brown who lauded his team for their character.
In what he also described as a heartening performance he had special mention for Kelly and Griffiths. "We really showed today that we can play football and that we can compete with the best once we get the opportunity to prepare properly," added Brown.
What was even more pleasing to Brown was the "message" that the players sent.
"I am pretty satisfied that the players have sent a message to corporate Jamaica and to those people who missed this one I have enjoyed that they will regret that they were not here to see this team play. More than anything else that is what I am satisfied with," concluded Brown who pleaded for his players to be given the opportunity to grow.
TEAMS:
Jamaica - Aaron Lawrence; Chris Dawes, Linval Dixon (captain), Marco McDonald, Tyrone Marshall (Fabian Dawkins 75'); Fabian Davis (Irvino English 78'), Keith Kelly (Jermaine Hue, 72'), Winston Griffiths, Andy Williams, Wolde Harris, Robert Scarlett.
Costa Rica - Eric Lonnis; Luis Marin, Oscar Rojas, Austin Berry, Reynaldo Parkes; Ronald Rodriquez, Rodrigo Cordero, Harold Wallace (Steven Bryce, 65th minute); Rolando Fonseca, William Sunsing (Giovanni Jara 65'), Winston Parkes (Hernan Medford 60')
Final standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| 1. Costa Rica | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 23 |
| 2. Mexico | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 9 | 17 |
| 3. United States | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 17 |
| 4. Honduras | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 17 | 14 |
| 5. Jamaica | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 8 |
| 6. Trinidad | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 5 |
Costa Rica, Mexico and U.S. qualify for finals
