Suriname-Jamaica soccer match ends in riot – DWT

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Thanks to a 2-2 draw against Jamaica last evening, Suriname’s U-23 team has moved to the next round of qualification for next year’s Olympic Games. The game was marred by a riot at the end, however. In the last minute, while Jamaica was leading by 2-1, the referee awarded Suriname a penalty after Jamaica’s Andrae Campbell had fouled Suriname’s Stefano Rijssel in the penalty area. Friso Mando made no mistake and scored the equalizer: 2-2. Afterwards, chaos erupted as the Jamaican coach and players attacked referee Trevor Taylor from Barbados. When police intervened, they were also attacked by the Jamaicans.

Below is the Jamaica Observer story on the game

U-23s bow out! – 3 Boyz ejected after contentious last-minute penalty

(Jamaica Observer) PARAMARIBO, Suriname — Jamaica’s Under-23 team missed out on a place in the second round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics after an exciting, but highly contentious 2-2 draw with Suriname at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo yesterday evening.

Both teams ended on seven points, but Suriname topped the group by virtue of a far superior goal difference.

 

Substitute Kemal Malcolm and lanky attacker Andrae Bernal, who also hit the upright midway the first half, scored for Jamaica in the 63rd and 67th minutes, respectively, while Giovanni Drenthe (59th minute) and Friso Mando, with a controversially-awarded penalty by Barbados referee Trevor Taylor in the 90th minute, notched the goals for the home team.

Jamaican left-back Andrae Campbell was red-carded in the 89th, after receiving his second caution of the evening for the adjudged foul on Suriname’s talismanic player Stefano Ryssel.

Mando’s successful penalty kick caused major upheaval at the venue as

Suriname supporters invaded the pitch, much to the chagrin of the

Jamaican contingent.

The situation got even more tempestuous when substitutes Jason Watson and

Romeo Parkes appeared to also receive their marching orders after confronting the officials. Mad scenes broke out thereafter as the Jamaican players and coaching staff tussled and engaged in a commotion with the security personnel, referee officials and some of the fans in the middle of the field. After approximately 10 minutes of mayhem, some level of control was restored but the match was immediately blown off.

Head coach Alfredo Montesso, who at one point was being physically harried by an individual in a neon vest, told the Observer just after the Jamaicans arrived safely at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, that the situation became “dangerous” when the playing field was invaded.

“When they scored the penalty, it became very difficult because supporters came on the field. We had no safety, no security (personnel) stopped them from doing it and there is no fence there (at the stadium) to stop them. We were also pushed by security from Suriname. I’m not trying to make excuse, but it was very dangerous and I had to calm my players,” he said.

Earlier, the Jamaicans were cruising along to a 2-1 win that would have given them the three points needed to finish top of the group and secure a place in the second phase of CFU qualifying, but they were stunned a minute before the end of normal time when referee Taylor awarded a penalty to Suriname.

Despite protests from the visitors, the decision was upheld and the resultant kick was stroked just beyond the reach of a diving Andre Blake in goal.

Though thoroughly outplaying Suriname, the visitors had gone behind 14 minutes into the second half when Giovanni Drenthe’s low-driven free-kick from the right of the field was deflected in off Jamaica captain Keithy Simpson.

Jamaica, however, sensationally went ahead just eight minutes later through strikes from Kemal Malcolm and Andrae Bernal.

Malcolm, who had been on the field for two minutes, popped up in the six-yard box to tap home the equaliser after a failed clearance from the Suriname defence.

Midfield dynamo Alanzo Adlam beautifully created the second, when he bedazzled two defenders deep into the left corner of the field before swivelling and crossing for Bernal to rise majestically and head in the go-ahead goal.

The Suriname team, which had shown free-flowing attacking intent in the previous group games, struggled to string passes together against a stifling, high-pressing game from Jamaica.

The Jamaicans on the other hand, easily played their best match of the tournament as central midfielder Andrew Vanzie and Adlam bossed proceedings.

The visiting team continued to create space behind the Suriname defence and got the ideal chance to put the game beyond reach when the speedy Malcolm raced past a defender and rounded goalkeeper Obrendo Huiswoud, but hesitated to shoot from a tight angle.

With that opportunity lost, the Jamaicans were made to pay when Ryssel went down inside their 18-yard-box.

Said Montesso: “We got that chance and missed and then the referee made a strange decision (to award the penalty). First, I saw no contact and also the player threw himself inside the box. It was also really strange that after the field was cleared he blew the whistle and there was still time to play.

“I am really satisfied with how we played today. We stuck with the plan and shut down their players. We regret that Malcolm didn’t take that chance, but I think Vanzie played really well. He marked very well, controlled the game with his passing and created that balance in midfield and I was very pleased with him.”