REGGAE BOYZ DRAW 1-1 WITH EL SALVADOR
3 min read
El Salvador rescued a goal against Jamaica in the dying minutes of the game and this means that they have avoided three consecutive defeats in their World Cup qualifiers. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. West Ham United striker Michail Antonio gave Jamaica the lead after he struck a beautiful ball in the 82nd minute. Unfortunately for Jamaica, they couldn’t hold on to the lead and the hosts replied with a header from Álex Roldán in the 90th minute.
Both teams are currently tied at six points after this result. On Tuesday Jamaica will host the United States, leader of the octagonal, and El Salvador will visit Panama.
The Jamaican men footballers were certain that they had all it would take in terms of ability and strength to be able to beat El Salvador. The team that is made up of top-notch players believed that they were able to take all the 3 points in the World Cup qualifier game that was held in Estadio Cuscatlán. In 2019, the Reggae Boyz lost to El Savaldor in the Concacaf Nations League with a score line of 0-2. This was the last time that they had come head-to-head with each other.
Reggae Boyz Captain, Andre Blake said that the present group was complete with players mostly practicing their professional sporting in Europe and North America. He therefore considered them more superior than El Salvador compared to their last meeting in 2019.
He went on to say that the team was made up of players that are extremely talented, a team that could be counted on any day to bring home wonderful results. He also said that the team was all rounded which gives them a competitive advantage over El Salvador. The US Major League Soccer goalkeeper told the Jamaican Observer that they definitely were better than how they were in 2019.
Before the game, Booby Reid also expressed his faith in the Reggae Boyz and advised them to strive towards being equal with their rivals. The Fulham Championship Club representative asked the Boyz to make sure that they play pace for pace. He went on to say that they ought to fight, make sure that they match their opponents’ hard work and intensity and winning would be the result.
Before the match, El Salvador held the sixth place with 14 points in the BecaMexico table that is made up of eight teams. It was closely followed by the United States with 11 points, Canada 10 points, Panama 8 points, Costa Rica 6 points, and in the last place was Honduras with 3 points. El Salvador and Jamaica both had five points acquired from the 6 qualifier matches. All of the 8 teams will participate in the coming 14 matches. Those who will emerge in the top three will thereby advance to the World Cup Finals in 2022 that will be held in Qatar. The team that will emerge fourth will be given another chance to play at the Intercontinental play-offs to prove they can still make it to the World football.
The Boyz expressed confidence before the match but this result has slowed down their momentum. Coach Blake, 30, confirmed that there were no distractions within the team prior to the match.
The Boyz will need to win their next fixtures in order to improve their chances of qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
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