Jamaica secure dramatic late win vs Guadeloupe

ORLANDO, Florida. - Guadeloupe put up a good fight, but Jamaica’s experience provided a slight edge for the Reggae Boyz in a 2-1 victory. 

Guadeloupe started brightly with an early goal. In the fourth minute, The Gwada Boys took advantage of a failed set piece from Jamaica and counterattacked. An awkward deflection off Jamaican defender Amari’i Bell got past his own keeper and scored an own goal -- giving Guadeloupe the 1-0 lead.

The opening goal livened up the match as Jamaica kept pressing Guadeloupe in search for an equalizer. Jamaica would get its response just 10 minutes later as it responded with a counterattack that caught the Guadeloupe defense off guard and found the 1-1 equalizer. Jamaican striker Cory Burke was able to line up the ball perfectly to shoot it to the far post. This is Burke’s seventh goal in 17 caps with the team.

After an exciting opening 15 minutes, both sides played more cautiously to end the first half. In the second half, it was clear neither side wanted to finish the match with a draw. 

Jamaica began to pick up momentum and started to bring more players up front to take the lead. In the 62nd minute, Jamaica forward Shamar Nicholson came close to giving his team the edge as he missed an opportunity by sending the ball over the net. 

Guadeloupe would fight back and generate opportunities of its own, but also struggled to find the goal. Finally, in the dying minutes of the contest, the Reggae Boyz wouldn't be denied to ice the match. 

Jamaica striker Junior Flemmings used some nifty footwork to get past the rival defense and with a left-footed finish past Guadeloupe goalkeeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien's legs straight into the back of the net. It secured a crucial result for Jamaica, which now sits on top of Group C with six points.