Jamaica reaches the semis with a 3-1 win over Lucia

Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


Game report

Jamaica muscled past Saint Lucia 3-1 in the International FGSL's last quarter-final game on Sunday evening at Old Boys and Girls high school.

Kendan Anderson netted the opener for The Reggae Boys just nine minutes into the game. Kimal Malcome doubled Jamaica's lead 20 minutes later. Lucia's forward Daran Fedee pulled one back for his country in the 31st minute. But Jamaica re-established their two-goal lead three minutes inside the second half with Mark Alves' penalty kick.

St. Lucia took the first shot of the game in the eighth minute but it was the Jamaican side that netted the match's first goal the following minute.

Anderson bolted down an empty Lucia's defense on a counter. Keeper Chad Philip came off his line but the Jamaican forward paced past him before steering a low shot that clipped the bottom of the left post then went in the vacant net.

Former Jamaica U-20 international forward, Kendan Anderson, netted the opener for The Reggae Boys. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


The Reggae Boys made it two from another counter attack as Malcome finished Anderson's pass just one minute before the half hour mark.

The Helen of the West cut Jamaica's lead in half two minutes later when Fedee one-timed a loose ball in the net from the box past keeper Rashawn Best.

The Jamaican secured their two-goal lead back three minutes after the restart. They were rewarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box on their opponents.

Captain Alves stepped up to the spot to take the penalty for his country. The attacker converted the spot kick, picking the middle right corner of the net.

Jamaica's skipper Mark Alves converted a penalty in the 49th minute. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images

Two key notes 

1. Lucia's shooting riot: The Helen of the West fought to catch up to Jamaica's three goal to remain in the tournament as they took 18 shots (seven more than Jamaica). But sadly only one of their shots found the net.

2 Teenage keeper Best stood tall in front Lucia's shots: Rashawn Best racked four crucial saves for Jamaica.

Jamaica's keeper Rashawn Best. Brooklyn Soccer Life Images


 Statistics

Jamaica
Shots (on target): 12 (4)
Saves: 4
Fouls: 5
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 3

Saint Lucia
Shots (on target): 18 (6)
Saves: 2
Fouls: 6
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Offsides: 1
Corners: 5