Jamaica opened their Concacaf World Cup final-round qualifying marketing campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Bermuda on the Flora Duffy Nationwide Sports activities Heart on Friday evening.
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Early authority from captain Damion Lowe, a stunning solo strike by Renaldo Cephas, a surging end from Kasey Palmer, and a late header from substitute Shamar Nicholson sealed the three factors for the Reggae Boyz.
Head coach Steve McClaren praised the professionalism of his squad, describing it as “a really tough recreation” however lauding his group’s capacity to handle the moments. “We obtained the primary aim, and that settled us down,” he mirrored. “Credit score to Bermuda, they saved enjoying soccer and creating alternatives, however we defended effectively and confirmed the person high quality wanted to win.”
Quick begin silences the group
The house aspect had packed the stands in anticipation, horns blaring and hopes excessive, however Bermuda’s optimism was punctured inside six minutes. From a nook that the hosts didn’t clear, Lowe reacted quickest, poking by way of a crowded penalty space to provide Jamaica sixth-minute lead.
The Reggae Boyz practically doubled the benefit minutes later when debutant Bailey Cadamarteri teed up Palmer, just for Bermuda goalkeeper Dale Eve to intervene. Bermuda threatened within the sixteenth minute as captain Nahki Wells stung the palms of Jahmali Waite, however defender Greg Leigh cleared the rebound underneath stress.
Cephas then delivered the sport’s spotlight within the twenty sixth minute. Beginning inside his personal half, the left winger collected a headed cross from Greg Leigh and glided previous two defenders with sheer tempo and trickery, slicing the ball again earlier than driving a low end past Eve.
The aim left Bermuda rattled and Cadamarteri twice got here agonizingly near including a 3rd—rounding the goalkeeper as soon as and steering the ball huge of an unguarded web, and hanging the publish shortly earlier than halftime.
Bermuda battle again, however Jamaica flip the screw
Bermuda’s coach Michael Findlay tried to swing momentum with a halftime substitution, introducing Keziah Martin for Willie Clemons. The change sparked Bermuda’s finest spell, with Kane Crichlow firing thrice in fast succession, solely to be denied by Jamaican goalkeeper Jahmali Waite and an immense block from center-half Richard King.
Findlay later admitted the early concession proved pricey: “The primary aim was a sloppy one to provide away, and it put us on the again foot. Even at 2-0, we had spell, however towards a group of Jamaica’s high quality, you’ll be able to’t afford these errors.”
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His captain Wells echoed the frustration: “We tried our greatest to keep away from conceding early from a set piece, however we failed. It gave Jamaica the raise they wanted and knocked us again. Shedding the primary recreation at residence is hard—it’s an uphill activity now.”
Any Bermudian hope of clawing again evaporated within the 58th minute when Palmer stormed by way of midfield on a cross from Jon Russell and buried a exact strike into the underside nook.
Nicholson, criminally snubbed from the Concacaf Gold Cup squad earlier this summer season, was launched with 20 minutes to go for the wasteful Cadamarteri, and he accomplished the rout within the ninetieth minute with a fragile glancing header from a Ronaldo Webster nook.
McClaren: “Skilled job finished”
Whereas happy with the margin of victory, McClaren emphasised the self-discipline proven by his younger squad:
“We talked about clear sheets, and we obtained that. It was an expert efficiency—come right here, get the three factors, go residence. We created about 19 probabilities, seven heading in the right direction, so we might have scored extra. However I used to be impressed with the management from the skilled gamers and the promise proven by the youthful ones. The long run is brilliant for Jamaican soccer.”
Groups: Jamaica – Jahmali Waite, Damion Lowe (Mason Holgate 61’), Richard King, Dexter Lembikisa, Greg Leigh, Isaac Hayden, Kasey Palmer (Karoy Anderson 61’), Jon Russell, Renaldo Cephas (Kaheim Dixon 72’), Tyreece Campbell (Ronaldo Webster 87’), Bailey Cadamarteri (Shamar Nicholson 71’).
Booked: Hayden (45’), Nicholson (90+1)
Subs not used: Kemar Foster, Tafari Chambers, Jamoi Topey, Jahshaun Anglin, Kevon Lambert, Warner Brown, Michail Antonio
Bermuda: Dale Eve, Deniche Hill (Lejuan Simmons 72’), Julian Carpenter (Dante Leverock 81’), Harry Twite, Reece Jones, Willie Clemons (Keziah Martin 46’), Djair Parfitt-Williams, Ne-Jai Tucker (Aunde Todd 81’), Kane Crichlow, Reggie Lambe (Justin Donawa 66’), Nahki Wells.
Booked: None
Subs not used: CJ Fubler, Detre Bell, J’Nai Butterfield-Steede, Kieron Richardson, Razhir Jones, Tokia Russell, Jutorre Burgess
Referee: Keylor Herrera (Costa Rica)
Group B Standings
| Groups | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Jamaica | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 3 |
| Curacao | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Bermuda | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 0 |
