Boyz top Nations League group after clipping Haiti 3-2
Published:Sunday | October 15, 2023 | 11:07 PMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer -
JAMAICA came from behind to defeat a spirited Haitian team 3-2 in their return Concacaf Nations League League A Group B game at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.
After playing to a 2-2 draw at the National Stadium the win pushed the Reggae Boyz to the top of the group. They qualified for the quarterfinals with 10 points from five matches. Haiti finished with just three points and have been relegated to League B. Honduras ended with seven points and will advance with Jamaica.
Frantzdy Pierrot fired Haiti into the lead after 16 minutes but Jamaica responded with goals from Demarai Gray two minutes later, and second half strikes from Shamar Nicholson and Leon Bailey.
Although Pierrot got a second for Haiti three minutes from time, it was not enough to inspire a comeback.
Jamaica had the first real attempt on goal in the eighth minute when Di'Shon Bernard redirected Leon Bailey's corner on target but goalkeeper Johnny Placide turned his effort around the post.
The Haitians then went ahead when Pierrot headed home a cross from six yards. However, the Reggae Boyz responded almost immediately when Gray fired in a low shot from the edge of the box for the equaliser.
Both teams had good breaks soon after and it was Michail Antonio who came close to adding to the score but his low curling shot from the edge of the box went just wide. Then Mechack Jerome came even closer for Haiti when he rattled the woodwork from a freekick moments later.
Bernard had a great chance to put Jamaica ahead two minutes after the break but he inexplicably redirected Gray's cross away from goal from three yards.
Jamaica continued to open up their opponents and in the 57th minute Nicholson bagged his second goal in as many games when he turned home a cross from Antonio. Dexter Lembikisa then hit the post from a corner and Nicholson had a shot parried wide by Placide.
Bailey sealed the win when he beat the offside trap and took down a well weighted ball from Daniel Johnson's freekick and fired past Placide in the 66th minute.
Haiti remained positive and kept the Boyz honest, as they continued to push forward and were rewarded with a second goal from Pierrot who rose to head home from a corner in the 87th minute.
The Boyz had to withstand a late surge from the Haitians but the defence held firm to secure the points.