Reggae Boyz return home

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz are back home following last night’s 2-1 defeat to 39th ranked Peru in their international friendly at the Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.



It was Jamaica’s second international friendly in three days following a 1-0 victory over Central American rivals Costa Rica at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday night.



The match got off to a very late start because of a dispute between the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), and the game’s promoters due to the delay in full payment of US$40,000 in match fee.



JFF president Captain Horace Burrell says he ordered the Reggae Boyz not to take the field until appearance money promised by the game’s promoters had been paid.



The South Americans secured victory, seven minutes before the end when late substitute Jose Carlos Fernandez hammered home.



Peru went ahead after three minutes courtesy of an own goal from Demar Phillips, but US-based player Omar Cummings of Colorado Rapids equalised for 82nd ranked Jamaica in the 20th minute.



The game was the second meeting between the teams. The first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw at the National Stadium in 2006.



Jamaica will next face Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago on October 10 at the National Stadium. The Boyz whipped the Soca Warriors 3-1 in the first of a two-game series in Port of Spain last month.