BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Federation’s Sgar Boyz historic march into the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament came to an end on Sunday evening (July 2) when they suffered a 5-nil thrashing from Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz in California.
After a successful run in the qualifying round to make the main tournament, the Sugar Boyz were brimming with confidence as they were drawn with three of the zone’s top footballing nations in the likes of the United States, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Julani Archibald-led team were hoping to end the competition on a high after consecutive defeats, but the Jamaicans were also looking for a win to seal their place in the Quarter Finals.
Team St. Kitts and Nevis were outmuscled and outpaced by the Reggae Boyz who put them under pressure from the first half, which saw a botched save by goalkeeper Archibald giving Jamaica a 1-nil lead.
The goal came off the boot of Kaheem Parris that whipped into the box and saw a blunder by Archibald that allowed the ball to cross the line. Jonathan Russell then added a second for Jamaica when he slotted/ a right-footed shot beyond the reach of Archibald.
There was no letting up by the Jamaicas, who knew a win would guarantee them a place in the next round despite the result in the United States/Trinidad and Tobago game, as they gained a third goal when DiShon Bernard found the back of the net from a Shamar Nicholson’s pass.
Daniel Johnson in the 72nd and Cory Burke in the 74th wrote the exit script for the Sugar Boyz as they ended the tournament without a point.
Jamaica and the United States have both progressed to the next round from Group A, as the Americans whipped Trinidad and Tobago 6-nil.
