Boyz sink T&T

Burton, left, and Lowe

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP):

JAMAICA'S Reggae Boyz defeated Trinidad 2-1 in a closely fought CONCACAF World Cup qualifier at Queen's Park Oval yesterday keeping alive Jamaican dreams of a second-straight World Cup appearance.

With the win, Jamaica tied with third-place Honduras on eight points so far in the final six-team regional qualifying.

Still, Jamaica will remain in fourth place based on goal differential. The Reggae Boyz must also hope for Honduras to lose at home against Costa Rica today to remain tied with the Central American team on points.

Only the three top teams in the CONCACAF group will qualify for the Japan-Korea 2002 World Cup.

Trinidad remain in last place with no wins in the first six games of qualifying, and are virtually eliminated.

The Caribbean teams were tied at one at half-time, with Jamaica betting on long balls to speedy forward Onandi Lowe, while Trinidad relied on playmaker Arnold Dwarika to deliver the ball after charging up the midfield.

Trinidad scored first in the 26th minute. Marvin Andrews intercepted a pass at midfield and passed downfield to striker Stern John, who dodged past a defender, picked up the ball and slipped it past the Jamaican goalkeeper.

Onandi Lowe got the equaliser in the 30th minute when he headed in a cross from Fitzroy Simpson.

The winning goal for Jamaica came in the 68th minute after a losing gamble by the Trinidadian defence, who tried to catch striker Deon Burton in an offside trap and failed. Burton sailed past the defence and shot hard past goalkeeper Clayton Ince.

Fighting broke out in the stands between Trinidadian and Jamaican fans, and police had to rush over to separate the dueling sides. No arrests or injuries were reported.

Jamaica qualified for their first-ever World Cup in France in 1998.

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