By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Jamaica's Onandi Lowe celebrates after scoring against Guatemala in the first half of CONCACAF Gold Cup game at the Orange Bowl in Miami yesterday. Jamaica won 2-0. - Reuters
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
JAMAICA SECURED a place in the second round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after defeating Guatemala 2-0 in their second game at the Orange Bowl yesterday.
They now await the outcome of the final game of Group B between Colombia and Guatemala tomorrow to determine if they stay in Miami or head to Mexico City for the next round, the winner of Group B will remain in Miami whilst the runner-up plays in Mexcico.
In yesterday's game, striker Onandi Lowe was the difference between the two teams in the first half as he put the Reggae Boyz ahead in the 30th minute. He took a lovely pass on the turn from Ricardo Gardner just outside the 18-yard box on the left before working his way inside
and unleashing a rocket into the roof of the net.
One minute later, Jamaica almost cancelled out their lead by attempting to play the off-side trap which failed them all evening. Carlos Ruiz, who constantly beat the trap, was robbed by an alert Donovan Ricketts who charged down his effort.
Two minutes later, Lowe began to demonstrate signs of self destruction as he showed dissent to a call which went against him and was booked by referee Jose Pineda.
Injury forced Jamaica to make a change at the beginning of the second half with Marco McDonald stepping in for Tyrone Marshall.
Four minutes later, an indiscretion dictated a change of plan for the team.
At that time, Lowe's self-destruct button was activated and he transformed himself from hero to villan.
After being felled by Mynor Gonzalez, Lowe received a blow to the chest from a ball fired by Edgar Valencia while still on the ground. Lowe charged Valencia made connection with his chest and Valencia went down. Referee Pineda after consultation sent Lowe on his way.
Technical director Carl Brown, in an attempt to preserve the lead, sacrificed the ineffective Darren Byfield for Damian Stewart. It was left up to Andy Williams, Theodore Whitmore and Gardner to take possession of the ball and hit Guatemala on the counter.
Omar Daley replaced the injured Claude Davis in the 68th minute and less than a minute later played a part in Williams earning a penalty.
Williams was taken down in the box by Valencia, giving the referee no choice but to point to the dreaded spot.
It was converted on the second attempt by Williams who took it himself. From them on the game swung to and fro with both teams having close shaves.
