Mexico Secures Semifinals Spot After CONCACAF Nations League Draws With Jamaica
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Jamaica’s coach Heimir Hallgrimsson will feel like his team lost an opportunity deliver a memorable win against the stubborn Mexicans
Mexico shared points with Jamaica after a 2-2 draw in a CONCACAF Nations League match. The game was held in a wet and unpredictable Azteca Stadium. The draw means that the Jamaicans will now play in the Concacaf Gold Cup on June 24.
The Mexicans came in with a lot of confidence because they were coming from a 2-0 win against Suriname. They currently have eight points and they sit at the top of Group A.
Jamaica began the first half with a bang and it wasn’t long before Bobby Reid produced a spectacular screamer in the 7th minute. Bobby Reid’s swerving shot was a sight to behold. It’s rare to see beautiful goals from outside the box.
Mexico responded through a goal from Orbelín Pineda who scored in the 17th minute. Lozano created the goal after he slipped in behind Jamaica’s defenders. He proceeded to deliver a cross that found the foot of Pineda. Pineda produced an expertly-taken shot that slipped past Reggae Boyz goalkeeper Jahmali Waite.
The two teams continued to go back and forth until Jamaica found a second goal in the 32nd minute. Mexico conceded a corner after a short period of pressure from Jamaica, this happened against the run of play. Edson Alvarez conceded an own goal after he failed to get out of the way. The ball hit Alvarez’s thigh before it went past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
The officials removed the players from the pitch in the 34th minute after the game was disrupted by a heavy downfall.
The game resumed after short period and it didn’t take long for Lozano produced a long shot that rattled the crossbar. The Mexicans kept piling on the pressure with many balls into the Jamaican’s box. This pressure led to a penalty. Ravel Morrison’s produced a moment of madness after he delivered a clumsy challenge on Henry Martin.
Hirving Lozano stepped up to convert the penalty from the spot, leaving the Jamaican goalie with no chance of saving the shot.
The second half was less dramatic because there were no more goals. This is surprising because Mexico brought in Wolverhampton striker Raul Jimenez and Diego Lainez to kill off the game.
Jamaica also brought in Dexter Lembikisa, Cory Burke and Jon Russell but they also couldn’t secure a win.
Jamaica’s coach Heimir Hallgrimsson will feel like his team lost an opportunity deliver a memorable win against the stubborn Mexicans. However, this was the Reggae Boyz’s best performance under the new coach.
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