Reggae Boyz, Serbia play to 1-1 stalemate
Published:Monday | June 7, 2021 | 7:50 AM
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz played to a 1-1 draw with Serbia in the first game of their two-match Asian tour at the Miki Stadium in Hyōgo, Japan on Monday.
The Serbians controlled possession for much of the first-half but the Reggae Boyz were well organised in defence and kept their opponents in check for the most part.
Andre Gray gave Jamaica the lead in the 29th minute when he went around Serbia goalkeeper Đorđe Nikolić, who rushed out to claim Jamaica debutant Blair Turgott's pass but missed it. Gray finished in the empty net from a fairly acute angle.
Dejan Joveljić, who was Serbia's biggest threat of the half, had their best chance for an equaliser in the 43rd minute, but his header went straight to goalkeeper Dennis Taylor.
Turgott had another good chance for Jamaica towards the end of the half but his powerful shot from the edge of the box was parried by Nikolić.
The second-half started the same way it ended with Serbia dominating possession and Jamaica defending resolutely.
Strahinja Pavlović pulled the Serbians level with a curling strike from just inside the box in the 61st minute, after his initial attempt was blocked.
The Jamaicans had a rare chance to add another in the 73rd minute when Gray broke loose but a good last-ditch tackle from Pavlović prevented the Watford forward from completing his brace and claiming the win.
The Reggae Boyz will next play Japan's Olympic team on Saturday.