U20s, seniors draw

JAMAICA'S NATIONAL team and the Under-20s played to a 1-1 draw at the Constant Spring playfield yesterday ahead of important games for both sides.

The Under-20s used the match to gain valuable practice as they try to fine tune their game ahead of the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina beginning on June 17. Two other practice games will follow on June 1 and 3 against the Cayman Islands national team in Cayman. The seniors will play a friendly game against Cuba on June 10 before their World Cup qualifier against the United States on June 16.

Canada-born Adam Wallace gave the Under-20s the lead in the 17th minute with a left-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box before Reno's Kirk Wright equalised for the seniors in the 28th minute with an acrobatic strike.

The Under-20s looked the more purposeful and organised in the first half as they strung the passes together while the seniors took some time to figure themselves out. Goalscorer Wallace, along with the France-based Keith Kelly and Omar Daley, controlled the midfield.

Wallace looked the most impressive as he showed his range of skills, dribbling, passing and kicking without overdoing any. His strike surprised almost everyone present. He collected the ball from Kelly who twisted his way past two challengers and passed.

Wallace dribbled a few paces and, with limited backlift, sent his shot from about 20 yards out inside the left upright past Shawn Sawyers in goal. The bustling Wright pulled his team level from a short cross from strike partner Ray Graham. With his left shoulder pointing towards the goal, Wright rocketed the ball overhead with his right foot.

Both teams made a number of changes at the beginning of the second half but neither was able to break the deadlock.

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