The fans at the National Stadium did their part with vigorous cheering of the Reggae Boyz last night. The Reggae Boyz almost did theirs as they tried to end a winless run at home in 2022 Concacaf World Cup qualifying.
However, they could not make their multiple chances count as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against El Salvador.
Eriq Zavaleta opened the scoring in the 21st minute for the visitors while Andre Gray got the equalizer in the 72nd minute as Jamaica could not find the winner in a game where they had their opponents on the ropes for the majority of the game.
Interim head coach Paul Hall started Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey, who was making his first World Cup qualifying appearance since November against the United States. He was unavailable for the January window because of an injury.
With their World Cup qualifying fate already sealed, it was a matter of ensuring that they did not end the campaign without a home win, similar to their 2014 campaign when they failed to win a single game. With the match open to all fans regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status, it was Jamaica who had the initiative in the early going, with Bailey almost giving the home side the lead in the first six minutes. After being put through on the right by Andre Gray, Bailey managed to weave his way around El Salvadorian goalkeeper Mario Gonzalez but could not direct his shot towards goal.
Jamaica had good passages of play but lacked decisiveness in the final third. Despite the early pressure from Jamaica, it was El Salvador that took the lead against the run of play in the 21st minute. From a corner kick, Zavaleta managed to redirect his header past goalkeeper Andre Blake. It was the eighth goal that Jamaica have conceded at home so far and the 17th overall in this campaign.
Soon after, Ravel Morrison almost got the equalizer but could only direct his one-time effort from outside the box on to the post.
The second half saw Jamaica play with more urgency and get some quality chances in the process. Daniel Green managed to test Gonzalez when his header was palmed over the bar. But Jamaica at times were wasteful in their chances. Gray in particular had an opportunity in the 56th minute when Bailey found him on the right side, but he blazed his chance over the bar.
But Gray would make amends in the 72nd minute when a pass got to Javain Brown and he relayed a low cross, which found Gray in the box. The Queen’s Park Rangers forward made no mistake from six yards. The goal galvanized the team to push for the winner in the last 18 minutes, with El Salvador being placed under immense pressure. Try as they might, they could not give the fans the proper reward as El Salvador managed to hold on for a point. The earlier meeting between the two teams also ended in a 1-1 draw in San Salvador on November 12 last year.
Jamaica will face Canada on Sunday before concluding their campaign against Honduras next Wednesday at the National Stadium.
Jamaica:
Andre Blake (C), Richard King, Damion Lowe, Adrian Mariappa, Javain Brown, Gregory Leigh. Devon Williams (Ramone Howell 88th minute), Ravel Morrison, Daniel Green (Atapharoy Bygrave 71st minute), Leon Bailey, Andre Gray
jamaica-gleaner.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism