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June 08, 2007
Reggae Boyz lose to Chile one nil
By: Devon Anderson and Dwight Fraser
Jamaica's senior Reggae Boys crashed to a one nill loss against South American side Chile in a keenly contested friendly international affair at Kingston's National Stadium on Tuesday June 5.
With the action swinging from end to end, both teams enjoyed even ball possession throughout the game, and Jamaica's best chance was muffed by mid fielder Nicholas Findlayson who was on the receiving end of a good build up down the right side, leaving the Jamaican spectators to shout a collective sigh of "ahhhhhhhh" in disbelief.
Pressed by the pace of the South Americans the Reggae Boys were found scrambling in defense and that was most pronounced in a counter attack in which Juan Gonzalez, beat the Jamaican Custodian Richard McCallum in minute number 19 to silence the over 15,000 spectators in the stadium.
Undaunted by the fact that they were trailing and their offensive synchronicity was absent, the Reggae Boys launched several attacks but their efforts were constantly broken up. That situation was changed when Sheffield United Star forward Luton Shelton fired from the top of the box. It was a respectable effort and had it been about 5 inches lower, it would have brought the home side on level terms, but the ball ricocheted off the cross bar back into play.
Try as they may the Jamaicans could not equalize and both teams went back to the dressing room at the interval with the scores unchanged.
On the resumption both coaches were experimental and substituted frequently. This situation changed the complexion of the game to some extent.
Jamaica had two more decent chances in the second half, but again failed to capitalize. This point was underscored by the fact that forward Fabian Taylor missed a header from just in front of the goal.
The visitors were able to hold off a spirited Jamaican outfit, that is now gearing up for next year's Concacaf World Cup qualifiers, which will give them a chance to play in football's biggest showpiece in South Africa in 2010.
After the Game Jamaican Technical Director Bora Mulitoniovich said that although the team lost he was quite satisfied with the performance from a technical and Tactical Standpoint.