Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz won 4-1 over Antigua and Barbuda Tuesday night, with help from the United States, to advance to the final round of the CONCACAF World Qualifying Series.
Jamaica came into the match with a total of seven points and a zero goal difference in Group A. In order for the Reggae Boyz to advance they needed either the United States or Guatemala to lose and the corresponding scores to add up to give Jamaica a superior goal difference over the loser.
The United States won 3-1 over Guatemala to push them to the top of Group A with 13 points, while Jamaica and Guatemala ended on 10 points. Jamaica ended with a +3, while Guatemala ended up with a +1 goal differential to put the Reggae Boyz through to the next round.
Jamaica was able to dominant and made their presence felt from the beginning of the game. Demar Phillips scored Jamaica’s first goal in the 17th minute play after the Antigua and Barbuda defense cleared the ball out to the left sideline. Phillips was left with ample space and time to drill the shot past goalkeeper Molvin James.
Jamaican fans did not have long to wait to see their team to add to the lead. A minute later central defender Nyron Nosworthy scored to put the Reggae Boyz up 2-0.
After Nosworthy scored, the crowd received the news of the United States defeating Guatemala 3-1 and Jamaican fans exploded knowing they were in position to advance going in halftime.
Antigua and Barbuda appeared to be disparaged after trailing going into the half, but was revived after Quintin Griffith scored in the 61st minute putting the score at 2-1.
Jamaica’s Dane Richards came back 17 minutes later to push the score to 3-1 and then he added the final score in the 88th minute for the 4-1 victory.
Jamaica joined the United States as the top qualifiers for Group A. Mexico and Costa Rica were Group B’s top qualifiers. Honduras and Panama were Group C’s top finishers.
These teams are buying for a place in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. They will compete in February to November of 2013 to qualify with the top three automatically winning a place in Brazil. The fourth place team will play off against the Oceania champion for another spot.
