Reggae recovery
Jamaica come from behind in tense 2-2 draw with Haiti
Published:Wednesday | September 13, 2023 | 12:12 AMJob Nelson/Sports Coordinator
POSITIONAL AND territorial advantage counted for zilch last night as Jamaica dominated both aspects of their League A Concacaf Nations League Group B match against Haiti but survived an early scare to secure a 2-2 draw at the National Stadium.
Content to sit back with zonal defence, Haiti caught the Reggae Boyz napping with two quick counters early in the match, the devastating blows paralysing the Jamaicans, whose attacks were also stunted by an inability to move and create space.
Jamaica, with the result, remained at the top of the group with four points, the same as Cuba, but with a better goal difference. Haiti follow on two points, with Honduras scheduled to play Grenada later last night.
Haiti kicking towards the community of Nannyville, profited from Reggae Boyz’ lapses in defence, Don Louicius taking advantage in the 11th minute and again in the 14th. All the action seemed to happen at that end, with Demarai Gray continuing his purple patch for Jamaica, netting in the 51st minute. Bobby Reid scored the equalising goal for Jamaica in the 81st minute.
Louicius slotted low and firm past goalkeeper Andre Blake from the left of the penalty box, after shrugging off a belaboured challenge from Andre Lowe down the flank. For the second, he was well positioned at the top of the 18-yard box, unmarked, to fire past Blake after being picked out by a cut back.
This stunned the Reggae Boyz supporters’ band and dancers in the bleachers, as well as the sparse crowd, into submission.
It was different at the other end. Jamaica pried and probed their opponents’ defence, which stood resolutely as the Haitians were prepared to throw their bodies around, blocking all the shots of the Jamaicans in whatever way possible.
FULL STRETCH
The Reggae Boyz’ best sighting of goal during the first half was a powerful header from a corner kick by defender Ethan Pinnock, which goalkeeper Jhony Placide had to dive full stretch to prevent from lodging into the back of the net.
Haiti were slightly more adventurous at the start of the second half, putting more players in attack, going as far as hitting the crossbar early. But that fizzled quickly with the Reggae Boyz again taking control of possession and territory and looking a bit more threatening, with several goal-mouth skirmishes.
The Jamaicans pulled closer to Haiti after a build-up down the right flank, with Gray cutting to the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a shot at goal, which wsa assisted into the net by a Haitian defender.
The Reggae Boyz created several other opportunities during the half but it was another powerful shot from outside the area by substitute Romario Williams that was handled inside, creating the opportunity for Reid to score from the penalty spot.