Photo by Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Despite trailing ahead of a visit to Nicaragua, Jamaica will push on in World Cup qualifying.
After being stunned, 3-2, at home in the opening leg, the Reggae Boyz netted a 89th minute winner from Simon Dawkins to earn a 2-0 victory to book a spot in the next round of qualifying.
Vancouver Whitecaps forward Darren Mattocks gave Jamaica its start in the 24th minute, giving his side hope of advancing. It took 65 whole minutes for the breakthrough to come, but Dawkins’ close-range volley to prevent the shock upset.
With the win, Jamaica earns a spot in Group B, joining Costa Rica, Panama and Haiti, the latter of which cruised bast Grenada, 6-1, on aggregate.
Here are the rest of Wednesday’s results from around CONCACAF:
CANADA CRUISES PAST BELIZE
After opening up a 3-0 lead in the opening leg, Tuesday night’s clash with Belize proved to be virtually stress-free for Canada.
Despite conceding the opening goal, a finish from Will Johnson erased any doubt, earning Canada a 4-1 aggregate victory and a spot in the group stages.
Belize appeared to be back in business early, as Deon McCaulay’s 26th minute finish pulled Belize within two. However, Johnson’s tally on the stroke of halftime all but ended Belize’s hopes while continuing Canada’s World Cup fight.
Canada now enters a group with Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.
GUATEMALA ERASES DEFICIT AGAINST ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Following a first leg defeat, goals from Carlos Ruiz and Dennis Lopez proved to be just enough for a Guatemala turnaround.
Down a goal from the opening leg, Ruiz and Lopez netted in the 61st and 75th minute, pushing Guatemala to a comeback victory in Guatemala City.
With the win, Guatemala joins a group with the U.S. Men’s National Team, Trinidad & Tobago and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Here’s a closer look at the official groups for the next round of World Cup Qualifying:
GROUP A: Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Canada
GROUP B: Costa Rica, Panama, Haiti, Jamica
GROUP C: United States, Trinidad & Tobago, Saint Vincents and the Grenadines, Guatemala
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What do you think of Wednesday’s results? Which teams do you see as favorites to advance to the Hexagonal?
Share your thoughts below.
Curacao’s elimination was heart-breaking. They potentially have a decent team but couldn’t finish it. Now boring old El Salvador goes on just to get steamrolled
Doesn’t matter, Curacao just would’ve got steamrolled even worse.
Group C could be interesting.
T&T will be a challenge both home and away and could win the group.
Guatemala will be tough away. And remember in 2014 qualifying when we played Guatemala at home in the final match needing a result to advance and conceded first?
Obviously have to take 6 points against SVG to keep things relatively comfortable.
Shouldn’t be remotely interesting but with JK in charge who knows?
Group B is crazy.. i can see any of those teams advancing, Haiti maybe a long shot
Mexico and USA got it easy again.
Outside of the battles in B, most intriguing matchup is Canada vs Honduras. Has Canada improved, Is Honduras in a tailspin? This game is kind of their Columbus game..hopefully they play it in Muncton again!
GROUP B: Costa Rica, Panama, Haiti, Jamica
Jamaica is good, but I am not sure about Jamica. ????
I have never heard of this country.
Saw both nicaragua-jamaica games. The nicaraguans were the better side overall, yesterday they missed great chances to turn the game around. I like coach scaeffer, but, boy, did he get lucky last night…
On a separate note, what’s with the artificial turfs in haiti and managua?
The costa rica, panama, jamaica, haiti group is lethal.
US got lucky again…
Grrrr I am so mad and crushed that Nicaragua didn’t advance!! My rage can’t be contained!! I will make all Jamaicans suffer!! I will make THIS WHOLE PLANET SUFFER!!!
Love Giles Barnes. Love Darren Mattocks. So happy for the Reggae Boyz and wish them continued success. Rasta vibrations my friends.
You are on my list!
How does it work, top 2 teams from each group advance to the hex?
Yes.
Tnx
Yes…top 2 from each group will make up the Hex. A couple thoughts on the Groups…
Group A: Very likely the easiest of the 3 groups unless Canada can somehow step up their play considerably. Canada’s best chance is if they get Mex & Hon in Canada during cold weather. Mexico & Honduras should both advance without to much trouble.
Group B: Toughest group with 3 real contenders and 1 dark horse in Haiti. My guess would be Costa Rica & Jamica.
Group C: Based on recent performances T&T may well push the US for the top spot in the group. US may be in poor form while T&T are on a hot streak, but the other 2 teams in the group should not be difficult to get points.
Looking forward to the US’s start of world cup.
Haha you must be Canadian otherwise to suggest that group A is easy makes me chuckle. Canada will not win a game I can garantee that, they may tie 1 or 2 but that’s being optimistic. The easiest group is group C and it’s a shame because we (the USA) need tough games.
Canada has zero chance of advancing from Group A. That’s the hardest group. Group C is by far the easiest. Should be a stroll in park with 16 points minimum from the 6 games but since JK will probably still be in charge who knows?