John-Ross Doyley scored winner for Jamaica's Under-20s.
LAUDERHILL, Florida:
Jamaica's under-20 footballers survived a testing first half before rallying to edge Canada 1-0 in their last tune-up match before departing for the final round of Youth World Cup qualifiers in Trinidad and Tobago beginning next weekend.
Substitute midfielder John-Ross Doyley's curling left-foot shot just past the hour mark helped ease the pressure off the young Reggae Boyz and inject them with a vital dose of confidence going into next week's crucial games in T&T, after completing an undefeated two-match United States tour on Friday.
It was a result that did not seem likely in the first 45 minutes. Playing their second game in three nights on the quick artificial surface at the Lauderhill Sports Park (LSP), Jamaica struggled to match the pace and pressure of the Canadians, who are also on their way to T&T for the qualifiers.
The Boyz were especially outgunned in the centre of the park, where senior national invitees Evan Taylor and Davion Thorpe had a torrid time keeping up with the swarming red-clad Canadians who manipulated the generous space they were allowed to roam.
The Boyz' frustrations boiled over into a few spicy tackles early, earning cautions before the interval for Romorio Campbell and Taylor.
However, the Canadians failed to consistently trouble Jamaica's goalkeeper Gariece McPherson, despite squandering a couple clear scoring chances. The best one came from a surging run by Paris Nakajima-Farran down the left flank. His tantalising cross along the ground beat everyone except onrushing teammate Kennedy Owusu-Ansah. But the midfielder booted high and wide with McPherson at his mercy.
Despite playing second fiddle, Jamaica's coach Donovan Duckie did not seem overly fazed by the events of the opening stanza, choosing instead to file them away as a learning experience.
"The speed of play is very fast. This is due to a field that is conducive to good style of play," Duckie said as he left the locker room for the start of the second half.
Touch team
"They (Canada) are a touch team, short passing-oriented team and this is important for our development."
The coach did, however, recognise the need to bolster Jamaica's midfield and add more punch to the offence, especially after Canada wasted another golden opportunity to take the lead. Kyle Porter, among a flood of half-time substitutes for Canada, was sent clear in the 51st minute. But while his first touch beat McPherson, it was too heavy for the fast surface and slid wide of the open goal.
Duckie delayed the introduction of Doyley and new forward Reneil Sappleton until about 30 minutes left in the game. Their impact was almost immediate. Sappleton's huge body and forceful surges drew added attention from Canada after he replaced Alonzo Adlam in attack. Doyley's injection for Thorpe seemed to steady the Jamaicans' passing in midfield.
Urged on by the dominant Jamaican contingent in the crowd, the Boyz did not have to wait long for their reward. A clinical set play from the left flank resulted in Andre Campbell's swerving low cross, which was met first time by Doyley, beating Canada's goalkeeper Adam Street to the corner of the goal.
The Jamaicans grew in confidence, stepping up the pressure as Canada looked increasing disjointed. Duckie was pleased.
"I liked the game," he said. "This is the level of competitiveness we are looking for."
Jamaica, which drew 0-0 with a select under-23 team from Florida on Wednesday night at the LSP, will leave for T&T this week to play in Group A of the CONCACAF qualifiers between March 6 and 15, along with the United States, El Salvador and the winner of a play-off game between St Vincent and the Grenadines and Honduras tomorrow. Canada is drawn in Group B with Mexico, Costa Rica and T&T.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the World Cup in Egypt in September.
Jamaica, which last qualified for the under-20 World Cup in 2001, will play their first game on March 6 against the United States, which had several scouts in the LSP stands on Friday night, including head coach Thomas Rongen. Canada will open against T&T the following day.