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February 08, 2008
Boyz open World Cup preparations with a draw.
By: Dwight Fraser and Devon Anderson
On a day when the entire nation celebrated the birthday of our own legend and icon the Honourable Robert Nesta Marley, our Reggae Boyz could only salvage a 1-1 scoreline against their CONCACAF and Central American rivals Costa Rica in the first friendly international at Kingston's National Stadium on Ash Wednesday.
The game was the first for Technical Director Rene Simoes who has returned after successfully taken the Boyz to the World Cup in 1998. His goal is now set to qualify the senior team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In a game witnessed by some 30,000 spectators, the Jamaican team, with a blend of youth and experience took the action to the Los Tico's but did not convert their chances to end the half on goal-less.
On the resumption both teams attempted to step up the tempo with the
Reggae Boys enjoying greater ball possession virtually camping out in Costa Rica's half.
Ever so often there were flashes of brilliance and some telling runs by the goal scorer Marlon King, the speedy Jamal -Campbell -Ryce and Ricardo Fuller, but numerous shots either went wide of the post or over the cross bar. The deadlock was broken in the 88th minute when Jamaican defenders were appealing for a non-existent off-side call, after substitute William Sunsing broke free to slot the ball pass the advancing Jamaican Keeper Donavon Ricketts in goal.
With time running out and the crowd urging on the Boyz, their never say die attitude was duly rewarded in time addded on when, Marlon King who also plays in the English Premier League for Wiggan Athletic provided a perfect weighted cross from the right side for Tyrone Marshall who ply his trade with Toronto F.C. in the U.S. Major League Soccer, to soar above his markers and head powerfully into the goal.
At the end, the Boyz were able to salvage a tie although they clearly were the better team at The Office (National Stadium) on the day. The team was captained by Ricardo Gardner who play's for Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League.
The Reggae Boyz next international friendly will be against Trinidad and Tobago at the National Stadium on the 26th of March.
