Young Reggae Boyz go down again

Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

MONTERREY, Mexico:

Jamaica plunged to the bottom of Group B and on the brink of elimination from the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup following a 2-1 loss to Argentina here yesterday at the Estadio Universitario.

Goals from Jonathan Silva in the 23rd minute and Lucas Pugh in the 63rd ensured that Jamaica stayed pointless after two first-round games, although a wonderful volley in the 89th minute from Zhelano Barnes ensured the Young Reggae Boyz would break their scoreless run at this level dating back to 1999.

France and Japan are now tied for the group lead with four points following their 1-1 draw in yesterday's curtain raiser. Argentina follow with three.

Jamaica will now have to win their final group match on Friday against France to have any chance for a place in the Round of 16, which is open to the top-two teams from each of the six groups and the four best remaining countries.

Yesterday's game started under blue skies and a gentle breeze, with the temperature comfortably below the searing heat that unsettled the Jamaicans in the opener. Argentina made four changes from the starting team which was blanked 3-0 by France on Saturday. Jamaica also tinkered with their line-up following a 1-0 loss to Japan, a shake-up aimed at injecting life into the Boyz's anaemic attack.

Romario Williams and Alvas Powell, two of Jamaica's better players in the first game, switched roles at the start against Argentina. Williams dropped into the heart of defence and Powell was moved up to central midfield. Captain Omar Holness was shifted from midfield to join Wolmer's teammate Jason Wright up front, while forward Jevani Brown and midfielder Shawn-Claud Lawson were both dropped, replaced by Patrick Palmer and Melvin Blair.

Chance missed

The moves appeared to pay off early. Jamaica should have taken the lead in the second minute when a wonderful ball from Powell found overlapping Barnes on the left flank. His perfectly weighted cross picked out wide-open striker Jason Wright at the far post, but his tame side-foot volley from six yards out bounced harmlessly past the upright.

Argentina, disappointing against France, responded with three quick-fire shots on goal. But Jamaica bounced back, and again came close to scoring in the 20th minute. Omar Holness's rocket right footer from a distance was too hot for Argentina goalkeeper Nicolas Sequeira, but Wright again mishit the rebound from inside the penalty box with the 'keeper at his mercy.

The Boyz were made to pay three minutes later. They failed to pick up the overlapping Silva on the left flank. His hard, low, left-foot strike beat poorly positioned goalkeeper Nico Campbell at the near post to give Argentina the lead.

Yet Wright could again have levelled the scores in the 29th. A curling free kick from André Lewis found him unmarked in the box, but his control was bad and the ball squirted away.

Despite Jamaica looking increasingly disjointed as the first half wore on, losing the battle for ball possession 52 per cent to 48 per cent, the sparse crowd rallied behind the Boyz. Jamaica had a legitimate appeal for penalty denied in time added on when Powell cleverly slipped the ball between the legs of two Argentine defenders, but went down under a challenge from the second. Referee Pavel Kralovec of Czech Republic waved play on.

Argentina, buoyed by the lead, came up much more confident in the second half. They constantly made inroads into Jamaica's half, but Jamaica managed to waste a couple more chances. Just after the hour mark, Wright collected a pass at the top of the box, turned neatly, but curled a tame left foot shot straight to the goalkeeper. Seconds later, Oshane Jenkins broke into the box, but, under pressure, fired straight to Sequeira.

A minute later, Argentina showed the Boyz how it was to be done. The skilful Lucas Ocampos slipped a pass inside to Lucas Pugh, who rifled a shot into the roof of the net, giving Campbell no chance.

Jamaica had a couple more chances to pull back a goal. In the 74th minute, substitute Anthony Walker's grounder was tipped around the post by Sequeira for a corner. Shortly after, the 'keeper did well to save Powell's long-range effort.

Respectable scoresheet

Barnes' strike made the scoresheet respectable for Jamaica, who pressed hard for the equaliser at the end. But to add to Jamaica's woes, Powell picked up his second caution of the tournament in the 56th minute and will miss the Boyz's final group game against France on Friday. Jenkins (21st), Kemo Wallace (30th) and Barnes (90th) also received yellow cards.

In the opening game of the double header, Abdallah Yaisen scored for France in the 24th minute, while Hideki Ishige equalised from the penalty spot for Japan in the 49th.

JAMAICA: 21- Nico Campbell; 7 - Romario Williams; 3 - Kemo Wallace; 2 - Oshane Jenkins; 18 - Zhelano Barnes; 5- Alvas Powell; 17 - Melvin Blair (46th - Romario Jones); 12 - Patrick Palmer; 9 - Omar Holness (captain); 10 - Jason Wright (69th - 15 - Anthony Walker); Andre Lewis (66th - 19 - Cardel Benbow).

SUBSTITUTES: 1 - Richard Trench; 4 - Jason Wint; 6 - Quante Smith; 14 - Jevani Brown; 20 - Shawn-Claud Lawson; 13 - Jemauh Cunningham; 16 - Troy Moo Pen.