Powerful Reggae Boyz blitz Guyana

Marvin Morgan netted a double while Dane Richards and Eric Vernon added one on either side of the break to fire the Reggae Boyz to their third straight win and top of Group I with nine points.

The defending champions, they will now face Grenada in the first semi-final today for a place in Sunday’s final.

In the second game of the doubleheader at the Pierre Aliker Stadium, Guadeloupe edged Antigua and Barbuda 1-0 to book their semi-final spot, and will now face Group H winners Cuba today as well.

With Trinidad and Tobago already dumped from the competition, Jamaica have taken centre stage and were in full cry as they rounded out their round-robin group play impressively. They threatened from the outset but had to wait until three minutes before the break to finally get on the score sheet.

Keammar Daley drifted a superb free kick into the area after MLS star Ryan Johnson had been brought down, and Richards arrived at the back post to nod home. Jamaica then doubled their advantage on 49 minutes when Luton Shelton crossed from the right for the half-time substitute Morgan to convert from close range.

Guyana came close to their opening goal in the 65th minute as Dwain Jacobs threatened after beating the offside trap but his shot was thwarted by a the hastily retreating Jamaican defence. They were made to pay 10 minutes later as Jamaica sealed full points when Johnson’s left-sided cross found Morgan who made no mistake from just outside the six-yard box, to complete his double.

For emphasis, Vernon netted in the second minute of stoppage time to complete a powerful display.

In the feature game, Guadeloupe knew they needed a win in order to reach the final four while Antigua needed only a draw.

The French, however, pressed and were rewarded in the 41st minute when Jean Luc Lamboude got a touch onto Cedric Collet cross from the left, and squeezed the ball past goalkeeper Molvin James.

Antigua could have snatched a point with seven minutes left in the game but Peter Byers had his effort thwarted by Guadeloupe’s brave custodian Yohann Bus.