CALIFORNIA, United States – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz kept their CONCACAF Gold Cup dreams alive with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Guadeloupe here at the PayPal Park in San Jose on Friday.
Jonathan Russell (right) and Leon Bailey celebrate scoring for Jamaica against Guadeloupe.Goals from Leon Bailey in the 41st minute and Jonathon Russell in first half stoppage time canceled out a 32nd minute strike from Guadeloupe’s Thierry Ambrose, to give Jamaica their first win of the competition and help them rebound from their opening round loss to Guatemala on Monday.
The result left them as joint leaders of the group on three points alongside Panama and Guatemala.
Despite hitting the goal frame twice and dominating possession, Jamaica fell behind after they failed to negotiate a clever set play by Guadeloupe.
Ambrose’s goal was the result of a well-worked corner-kick routine, as he took a pass in the 18-yard box from Noah Cadiou and rolled the ball in the bottom left corner.
However, that lead was short-lived as minutes later Bailey brought Jamaica level when his left-footed shot from just outside the area caught Guadeloupe’s goalkeeper Brice Cognard flat-footed.
Russell then gave Jamaica the lead in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, after Demarai Gray dribbled into the box from the left flank and delivered a cross that he headed in on one bounce.
Jamaica will face Panama in a crucial match on Tuesday in Austin, Texas, at the same time that Guadeloupe will oppose Guatemala in Houston.
