Jamaica Reaches Next Round of World Cup Qualification

9:42 pm, Tue October 16, 2012

Jamaica advanced to the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying after surviving a pulsating final night of Group A semi-final round action.
The Jamaicans, led by two goals from Dane Richards, beat Antigua-Barbuda 4-1 at Jamaica’s National Stadium on Tuesday night to finish on ten points.
They surpassed Guatemala on goal difference after the Central Americans went down 1-3 to the United States in Kansas City.
Demar Phillips' long range effort sent Jamaica in front after 16 minutes before defender Nyron Nosworthy headed them into a 2 nil lead a minute later.
A beautiful 63rd minute free kick from Quentin Grifith pulled one back for Antigua-Barbuda but Dane Richards scored two late goals; the last of which came on 88 minutes to calm the nerves of Jamaican fans.
Over in Kansas City it was Guatemala that took the lead through Carlos Ruiz in the 5th minute.
Carlos Bocanagera pulled the United States level on ten minutes before Clint Dempsey scored twice before the break to seal the deal for the Americans who topped the group on 13 points.