The Reggae Boyz etched their names in history, earning a place in the 1998 World Cup finals with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Mexico at the National Stadium. The result secured Jamaica’s spot among the world’s top 32 footballing nations, marking the first time an English-speaking Caribbean country has qualified for the tournament. 

PUBLISHED MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1997

FRANCE, here we come.

- Jamaica through to France

By Tym Glaser: Associate Editor Sport

The Jamaica national football team’s gruelling march along the road to the World Cup finals in France next year came to a glorious conclusion at the National Stadium yesterday when the hosts claimed the point they needed to take their place alongside 31 other nations at a world team sports premier event.

When the final whistle blew on Jamaica’s goalless draw with Mexico, the excited, capacity stadium crowd erupted in a blur of green and gold, and the rest of the country wildly celebrated the Reggae Boyz history-making feat.

After the match, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson declared today a public holiday in honour of the Jamaica team.

Patterson called the result ’undoubtedly the greatest day in Jamaica’s sporting history’.

Jamaica, the first English-speaking Caribbean country to make the World Cup, and only the third from the region, advance along with the Mexicans and the US from the Concacaf zone.

The Mexicans and Jamaicans played a cat-and-mouse game through most of the first half, with the home side content to pass the ball around in their half of the field while the Mexicans looked on without pressing the attack.

In fact, the high points of the first half came all the way from Boston where the United States had burst to a 2-0 lead over El Salvador, the only team capable of denying Jamaica a trip to France.

The fans chanted ’USA, USA’ and technical director of football Rene Simoes allowed himself a rare sideline smile as the score was relayed to him.

The Mexicans picked up the tempo towards the end of the first half but seemed more content not to lose rather than win, which suited the homeside perfectly.

Jamaica had the better opportunities to score, but were denied by a brilliant goalkeeping display from Mexican custodian Oswaldo Sanchez, who turned away at least four clear chances.

About 10 minutes from full-time, the stadium crowd was on its feet and screaming ’France, France, France’ as the US took an insurmountable 4-2 lead over El Salvador.

When the eagerly awaited, game-ending whistle finally sounded, Jamaica’s impossible dream had become a reality and the players charged around the field soaking up the greatest moment of their sporting lives and arguably the greatest in this country’s sporting history.

With car horns honking, headlights flashing and flag-waving Jamaicans on street corners all over the island, last night loomed as possibly the greatest party this country has seen.

 

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