Reggaze Boyz with Head Coach Winfried Schaefer in happier times
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz were officially eliminated from the 2018 World Cup qualifications with one match to go, following a 2-0 defeat at the boots of Panama at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City Friday night in CONCACAF qualifying play.
Goals in each half by Gabriel Torres in the 28th minute and substitute Abdiel Arroyo in the 88th minute sealed the Reggae Boyz fate. Jamaica remains on 4 points after 5 matches, while Panama moved to 10 points and booked their spot in the six team final round.
Costa Rica who had already qualified for the final round before Friday's fixture, clipped Haiti 1-0 to move to 13 points.
Eliminated teams Jamaica and Haiti play on Tuesday at the National Stadium at 8:30p.m. in a game of academic interest only, while group qualifiers Costa Rica and Panama will battle for group honours.
In the meantime, Trinidad & Tobago regained top spot in group "C" despite a 2-2 draw with 10-man Guatemala, with Trinidad & Tobago advancing to the six team final round starting in November as they moved to 11 points. The twin island republic are a point ahead of the United States who hammered St. Vincent & The Grenadines 6-0. Christian Pulisic grabbed a brace for the Americans. The U.S. have a goal difference of +13 while Guatemala who have only a glimmer of hope of qualifying, have a goal difference of +1 on 7 points.
In group "A" Honduras beat Canada 2-1 to move to 7 points and poll position to join Mexico from the group in the final round. Mexico who had long sealed their spot in the final round defeated El Salvador 3-1 to move further ahead on 15 points remaining undefeated in qualifying play.
All feeds
