Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Jamaica's Demar Phillips (No.12) is congratulated by team-mates Omar Daley (with feet off the ground) and Jermaine Hue partly hidden after scoring against Canada in their international football friendly match at the National Stadium, yesterday. Jamaica won 2-1. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Two goals in two minutes propelled Jamaica to a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Canada in their international friendly football match at the National Stadium last night.

The goals were scored by by Luton Shelton and substitute Demar Phillips in the 35th and 37th minutes respectively, which enabled the Reggae Boyz to secure their first win over Canada since 1997.

Thomasz Radzinski shocked the Reggae Boyz in the eighth minute, firing home a rasping shot into the roof of the net to silence the local faithfuls.

The Reggae Boyz, coming off the embarrassing first-round exit from the Digicel Caribbean Cup, turned in a much-improved performance to clip the Canadians.

On September 4, the Canadians edged Jamaica 1-0 in Montreal and it was sweet revenge for the Reggae Boyz, who will only be playing friendlies until the World Cup qualifiers start in 2008.

In front of a fair-sized crowd, the red and white-clad Canadians drew first blood when the skilful Julian de Guzman delicately chipped a pass to Radzinski, with oceans of space in the box. The Fulham striker took his time before unleashing a ferocious shot that flew over debutante goalkeeper Richard McCallum at his near post.

The Reggae Boyz quickly settled as the impressive Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Khari Stephenson, Luton Shelton, Jermaine Hue, Ricardo Fuller and Omar Daley wrested the initiative from the visitors.

An injury to left back Shane Crawford in the 25th minute brought on the speedy Demar Phillips and he made his presence felt.

The Waterhouse player broke free down the left flank and crossed accurately for the onrushing Shelton to side-foot home from six metres in the 35th minute.

Two minutes later, before the celebrations had finished, Phillips latched onto a Hue pass and fired home from just inside the box.

For the first time in a while 'The Office' was buzzing with excitement as the fans were being entertained.

Second half

In the second half, both teams got chances to score but the easiest went to substitute Teofore Bennett who received a through ball from Hue, beat goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopulos, but kicked wide of the mark.

Immediately, Canada countered, but young goalkeeper McCallum showed a safe pair of hands when asked to.

Winning coach Carl Brown, said he was more happy for the players than himself.

"I keep saying that I am probably more relaxed than in other appointments. My concern is the players. I wanted today more than anything else for them to achieve a victory. This win will go a far way in helping the confidence of these players."

Meanwhile, interim Canadian coach, Stephen Hart, said although he lost he was pleased with his team's second-half performance.

Said Hart: "I think we started brightly in the first half but when we picked up the injury, it took us a little while to get adjusted and Jamaica scored two very quick goals.

"But all said, I was very pleased with the second half. We could have brought ourselves back in the game and could have gone ahead," he added.

Jamaica

2 (Luton Shelton 35th, Demar Phillips 37th)

Canada

1 (Thomasz Radzinski 8th)