Game report
Clive Murray's brace guided Grenada to a 2-1 win over Jamaica in the International FGSL's semifinal on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.
Kendan Anderson pulled one back for The Reggae Boys at the half hour mark. Jamaica pushed for an equalizer late in the game but Grenada's defense was impenetrable.
Guyana eased past Guinea 4-1 in the previous semifinal to set up a date with Grenada in the final on Sunday at Old Boys and Girls (time TBA).
Grenada took the lead in the sixth minute as Murray controlled Shane Rennie's inch perfect ball over the top before pacing his way through Jamaica's defense to roll a low shot past Rashawn Best.
Jamaica's captain Mark Alves attempted to equalize the game four minutes later as he hit a low-shot to the side-netting after cutting a Grenadian defender.
Murray broke free from Jamaica's defense again with his speed but keeper Best came to the rescue as he paced off his line to dispossess the forward.
The Spice Boys went up by two in the 36th minute with a speedy counter attack. Denron Frederick sprinted down the left wing then hit a through ball to Ariel Jacob. Jacob directed a square pass in the box to a running Murray, who capped off the play with a smooth finish beyond Best's reach.
Jamaica took advantage of a defensive mistake from Grenada to cut the lead in half. Damionne "Solo" Cyrus rushed up to Anderson but missed the tackle. Anderson swifted around keeper Josh Charles to hit the ball in an empty net.
The Spice Boys sat back for the remainder of the game. Jamaica still managed to direct a mass shooting at them (Jamaica took 16 shots in the game) but were unable to score.
As the Jamaicans were on attacking mode, Grenada created a couple of close opportunities on the counter.
One with 10 minutes to go when Murray blocked shot fell to Frederick, who rushed a strike on frame from the six-yard box. Best was quick on his hand to perform an unbelievable save. And another one the following minute when Frederick hit another shot from the six-yard box that Best made an outstanding save out of again.
Players' voice: Clive Murray (2 goals)
Grenada striker Clive Murray scored Grenada's two goals.
"That's nothing new to me, I've been scoring goals," Murray said about his double after the game. Murray also netted in the semifinal against Saint-Vincent and Grenadines.
The striker was content that his side reached the final.
"I'm happy that we went out there and finished the job," he said.
Two key notes
1. Grenada's strikers came to shoot: Murray took six shots for his country and his striking partner, Denron Frederick, took three-- all of Frederick's shots were on target.
2. Leaving with a handful: Jamaica's keeper Rashwan Best put up another breathtaking performance between the stick, performing six saves, which was the playoffs' best tally, and coming off his line on a couple of occasions to dispossess the Grenadian attackers.
Statistics
Jamaica
Shots (on target): 16 (6)
Saves: 6
Fouls: 7
Yellow cards: 1
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 2
Grenada
Shots (on target): 11 (9)
Saves: 5
Fouls: 9
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 4
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