Ex-Jamaica international John-Ross Edwards netted a brace past Grenada to carry the undefeated Reggae Boyz
(9-0-3) to the 2018 International FGSL title.
Edwards stated that it was strenuous task to dethrone the
Grenadians from the FGSL title.
“We came up against a defending champion, you know, it wasn’t
going to be easy,” Edwards said after the final, “but as I said in the previous
interview, ‘We know it’s going to be tough but as long as we play as a team we
know we’re going to come out victorious.’”
The 30-year-old forward also netted the game winning goal of
Jamaica’s semifinal match versus Saint-Lucia, which ended 1-0. Edwards was thrilled
to add two more to his name in the biggest game of the season.
“As a forward scoring in a final game is wonderful, you know.
Without goals you can’t win a game, to score the two goals that gave my team
the trophy tonight I feel very proud,” he said.
Jamaica striker John-Ross Edwards. Brooklyn Soccer Nation Images
Although they came into the game as the second favorite, Jamaica
had Grenada by their throat in the opening 22 minutes, taking eight shots when the
Grenadians had yet to register one.
The Jamaicans took their first shot in the fifth minute when
Romario Brown curled a shot toward the upper right corner of the goal from outside the box to force Simeon
Peters to leap for a save.
Jamaica’s constant drive in the Grenadians defensive third
led to a goal in the 22nd minute. Brown headed Javon’s cross down
toward Edwards in the box. The former Harbor View striker stayed composed and
tapped the ball beyond keeper Peters from the six-yard box.
Grenada woke up after the opener, recording their first shot
of the encounter five minutes later as Shane Rennie headed Moran Phillip’s free
kick from the left wing over the bar.
The Spice Boyz attempted
to equalize again from a set piece when Rennie hit a free-kick just over the
crossbar from about 20 yards out in the 29th minute.
Grenada came close to level the scoring from another free
kick in the 38th minute as Marcus Julien headed Phillip’s free kick inches past the far-left goalpost.
After Grenada’s dominance in the end of the first half, the Jamaicans
came out of the break red-hot. Edwards had the spectators on their feet in the
54th minute as he voluptuously faked two shots before steering a low
effort on frame. Peters denied Edwards from scoring a highlight-reel goal, side-stepping on his left to save the shot.
Edwards' next shot did go past Peters from a play
most wouldn’t expect to result in a goal.
Grenada center back Damionne ‘Solo’ Cyrus hit a poor clearance up in the air; Edwards was lurking behind him and lobbed the ball in the net from
the top of the 18 in the 62nd minute.
The Spice Boyz skipper Clive Murray tried to cut Jamaica’s lead in
half the following minute, swifting past a couple of Jamaicans diagonally in
the box but when he pulled the trigger Fabian Elliott made a heroic diving block.
Grenada captain Clive Murray had his shot blocked by defender Fabian Elliott in the 63rd minute. Brooklyn Soccer Nation Images
The Spice Boyz
missed another golden opportunity in the 71st minute. Shavon
John-Brown found Julien with a magnificent through ball on a counter attack; Julien looked
to take advantage of keeper Haughton being off his line and rushed a shot from outside
the box but unfortunately for the defending champions the ball whistled past
the right goalpost.
The Jamaican backline stayed compact for the remainder of the match
to keep Grenada scoreless and crown themselves 2018 Int’l FGSL champions.
Four key notes
1. Individual awards: Grenada striker Clive Murray won the
Golden Boot award, netting 11 goals in his country’s 11 games.
2018 International FGSL Golden Boot winner Clive Murray exchanging a handshake with Andre Toussaint. Brooklyn Soccer Nation Images
Jamaica forward John-Ross
Edwards was nominated final’s MVP for his brace and his countrymate Devon
Haughton bagged the Golden Gloves.
2018 FGSL Final MVP John-Ross Ewdards alongside Golden Gloves winner Devon Haughton. Brooklyn Soccer Nation Images
2. The Impenetrable yard: Jamaica had the best defense in the
league, allowing five goals in 12 outings and holding the fast offensive
monsters scoreless in the final.
3. First year at the job wasn't a bad one for Gunter: Jamaica
coach Rodney Gunter led Jamaica to the title in his first season in charge.
Jamaica coach Rodney Gunter holding the International FGSL trophy. Brooklyn Soccer Nation Images
4. Wasn't enough but not bad from Peters: Grenada keeper
Simeon Peters put up a phenomenal performance between the sticks, racking eight
saves against the hungry Jamaicans.
Statistics
Shots (on target): 20
(10)
Saves: 2 (keeper
Devon Haughton)
Fouls: 8
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Corners: 5
Offsides: 1
Grenada
Shots (on target): 8 (3)
Saves: 8 (keeper Simeon Peters)
Fouls: 8
Yellow cards: 0
Red cards: 0
Corners: 3
Offsides: 1
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