Jamaica (pictured) celebrates after scoring the only goal in a World Cup Qualifying win over host Haiti on November 17, 2015, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Photo courtesy of FIFA.com)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Jamaica bounced back from a loss to Panama four days ago to defeat host Haiti 1-0 in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at the Stade Sylvio Cator.
Clayton Donaldson marked his first start with the Reggae Boyz by heading home a corner in the second half for the game’s only goal as the CONCACAF Gold Cup runner-up claimed its first points in fourth-round, Group B play. Haiti lost for the second straight time, falling by the same score at Costa Rica.
It was Jamaica’s third successive win over the Haitians in international competitions, including triumphs in the 2014 Caribbean Cup (2-0) and the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup (1-0).
Jamaica manager Winfried Schafer, who returned to the technical area after a one-game suspension, made five changes, two forced as midfielder Rodolph Austin and striker Giles Barnes opted out due to the match being played on an artificial surface. Midfielder Garath McCleary sat out with an injury, while Donaldson replaced Darren Mattocks as the lone striker and goalkeeper Andre Blake started ahead of Duwayne Kerr.
Haiti made four changes with Sony Norde, Frantz Bertin, Jeff Louis and Sony Mustivar all getting the start for head coach Marc Colatt.
The Jamaicans turned in a much improved performance from the one on Friday as an unmarked Donaldson headed Demar Phillips’ corner kick home in the 64th minute for the only goal.
Haiti opened well and came close to taking a lead in the 17th minute, when Max Hilaire forced a save from Blake. Three minutes later, the Philadelphia Union custodian got his fingertips to a looping ball from Louis.
Phillips could have scored early in the second half, but he powered Alvas Powell’s cross directly at goalkeeper Johny Placide.
The sides return to WCQ action on March 25 with Jamaica welcoming Costa Rica and Haiti entertaining Panama.
