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Canada Pulls Of Historic Victory In Kingston Against Jamaica
By The Canadian Men’s National team beat Jamaica away from home for the first time in 35 years.
On Thursday afternoon Mauro Biello, the interim head coach mentioned it had been since 1988 when Canada last beat Jamaica away from home but, on Saturday morning they did just that.
Canada beat Jamaica 2-1 thanks to goals from Jonathan David and a late game-winner by Stephen Eustaquio to help his country inch closer to a berth in the 2024 Copa America.
“It was a competitive game,” Biello told the media post-game. “We knew coming in it was going to be difficult with the quality of players on this team. We were able to deny them their opportunities.”
The game was originally scheduled for Friday night but was postponed to Saturday morning due to a tropical storm that led to heavy rain which poured onto the field and flooded it.
“I think we stayed patient throughout the game. We took our chances, they came back in the second half, and we needed to be more focused.”
It didn’t take long for the visitors to get going on a warm sunny morning with a high of 28 degrees Celsius at Independence Park in Kingston, with David getting a chance eight minutes in breaking the Jamaican defense – but his shot wasn’t strong enough to beat their keeper Andre Blake.
“Credit to Canada for fighting through it. I am very proud of the team with hard conditions and we showed really good character from the group.”
In the 32nd minute, Cyle Larin had his first chance of the game with a shot on target but one that got deflected and saved by Blake as he managed to get his hand on it.
“We wanted to come out of here with a result and if we were able to achieve it, it was going to put us in a good position heading back to Toronto.”
The Jamaicans had their first registered shot on target in the 40th minute when, off a corner, Leon Bailey was able to get a shot off, but it rang off the post and stayed out.
“They had their moments and we were able to take those moments when we had it and they had their chances but I felt we were more clinical in those moments.”
Three minutes later off a horrible giveaway by Ismael Kone, Jamaica had another chance at goal as Bobby Reid stole the ball and fired it right at Canadian keeper Milan Borjan, who was able to make the save.
“It was special for sure and to represent this country is an honour every day to work with this group and make our fans proud, and that’s my job.”
Canada opened the scoring in the first minute of added time of the first half when Larin found David with a quick solid pass across the face of goal and he was able to tap the ball into the net.
“We knew it was tough and we showed a lot of resilience today to come out here on top, and now we need to finish the job back home.”
Jamaica tied the game in the 55th minute off a quick set piece as Canada looked confused asking Tori Penso, the match official, for a whistle and Shamar Nicholson was able to beat Borjan with a quick shot.
As soon as the ball went into the net there was chaos and confusion as the line official waved the goal off for offside but after a check with VAR, the goal was confirmed.
“They were very aggressive, they played wide and we needed to stretch them and get behind them. We needed to open them up and when we did that we were more successful.”
In the 85th minute, Stephen Eustaquio scored the game-winner when Richie Laryea was able to make a great run down the wing and found him at the top of the box as he powered a shot far post into the net.
“Steph had a really solid game and he’s in great form. You see his quality and a great second goal, so I am very proud and very happy for him and the boys, and the commitment to this win.”