By Daraine Luton, Freelance WriterSIX YEARS ago, the Reggae Boyz shared two points with Mexico in a goalless stalemate at the National Stadium. The point earned by the Boyz gave them a historic berth as they became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to qualify for the World Cup.
Yesterday - the anniversary of that historic achievement - saw the national Under-23s aiding their cause for a place in history by turning back Central American side Guatemala 2-0 at 'The Office'.
Both goals came from Luton Shelton, who netted in the 29th and 71st minutes, setting Jamaica, which have never qualified for the Olympic Games, a good platform from which to mount an attack when they play Wednesday in the return leg.
The winner on aggregate will advance to an eight-team final round to be played from February 2-12 next year in Guadalajara, Mexico. The teams will be split evenly into two groups with the leading team on points in each zone progressing to the summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
The speedy Shelton collected a pass from the right flank and headed goalwards, leaving two defenders for dead in the process. With a flatfooted goalie at his mercy, Shelton sent the sprinkling of supporters at the stadium into a frenzy by lobbing him for the first goal.
That goal dented the visitors, who nonetheless went in search of a goal that never came.
GUATEMALANS NOT EMBARRASSED
While they were by no means embarrassed by the Jamaicans, Guatemala may blame the language barrier as the cause of them not understanding that the local Boyz came prepared for a burial. In fact, they were warned by the sound system operator after Shelton scored, through the lyrics of DJ Tiger's Yuh Dead Now, which echoed across the ground while the ball was being plucked from their net.
Shelton took it as an invitation to bang up Paulo Motta's net, cracking a shot which could have had the goalie in problem was it not for Nestor Quinonez who charged down his attempt. Shelton then returned in the 33rd minute to control a ball from deep in midfield then let fly only to see Motta palming away his effort.
On the stroke of the half, the former Wolmer's 'baller, who plies his trade with Wray and Nephew National Premier League club Harbour View, finished disappointingly after leaving behind three defenders as he kicked the ball into the side netting when the goalie came out to block the angle.
The second half saw Shelton benefiting from the injection of Keith Kelly, who crafted the play which led to him scoring. The latter, from the middle of the park, provided Garfield Reid with an aerial ball which he controlled and squared for Shelton, who climbed above Edwin Gonzalez to head past Motta for his second goal.
When the lethal finisher was substituted for Roland Dean, many though the Tivoli player would be the one to keep the fire burning along with Kelly and the rather dull Omar Daley. The excitement came not from Dean, but Jamal Campbell-Royce of Charlton Athletic who replaced Daley.
Campbell-Royce, who is short in stature, demonstrated to his Guatemalan opponents that he was a big man, using deft touches to mesmerise the defence, leaving them in most instances kicking at air after being beaten.
Coach Peter Cargill, though happy with the win, is already looking forward to a showdown in Guatemala.
"We are now set for a very tough encounter in Guatemala," Cargill said.
"We will be looking at a number of things but above all we will be going over there to play our very same football."
