KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Reggae Boys were left with all to do in the second leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final after they gave up a late goal, to slump to a 2-1 defeat to Canada here Saturday.
Shamar Nicholson … scored for Jamaica.Jonathan David put the Canadians ahead in first half stoppage at the National Stadium before Shamar Nicholson equalised in the 56th minute.
The game appeared headed towards a stalemate when Stephen Eustaquio grabbed a late winner for the Canadians in the 86th minute.
“It was a difficult match to play. It was really hot so the tempo understandably got lowered, so it was not a high tempo game,” Jamaica head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson said following the League A encounter.
“In a game like this it’s about focus, keeping focussed. They lost their focus three or four times, we did not punish them. We lost our focus two, three times, they punished us.
“And that’s how it is at this level. You have to take your chances and you cannot give chances.”
Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey missed a golden opportunity to put the hosts ahead when he sent his shot wide of the far post from close range in the 15th minute.
Cyle Larin then forced a save out of goalkeeper Andre Blake in the 32nd as Canada responded strongly before David’s header at the far post four minutes later also forced the Jamaican shot-stopper into action.
Bailey then struck the post in the 40th again from close range and the home side were made to pay for the missed chance minutes later when Larin weaved his way into the right side of the box and squared for David to tap in from point blank range.
Jamaica were then let off in the 51st when Larin shot wide from the middle of the box but Nicholslon brought them level five minutes later when he latched on to Daniel Johnson’s low free kick, escaped a sleeping Canadian defence, to finish clinically from eight yards out.
The goal was initially flagged off-side but the decision was reversed by VAR.
With time ticking away at the end, defender Richie Laryea picked up the ball just beyond the half-way line, was afforded a free run down the right before crossing into the box where Eustaquio buried the winner with a calm low drive.
The return leg is set for Tuesday in Toronto.
In Group B of League B on Friday night, Montserrat shocked the Dominican Republic with a 2-1 victory in Plymouth, thanks to goals in either half from Brandon Barzey (37th) and Kaleem Strawbridge (57th).
Also in Group B, Barbados suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Nicaragua at home in Bridgetown after trailing 2-0 at the break while St Vincent and the Grenadines went down 3-1 to Bermuda in Group C.
