KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica’s 2014 World Cup finals hopes were left hanging by a thread after conceding an injury-time goal to suffer a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat to United States here Friday night.
The US led in the 30th minute through Jozy Altidore and seemed headed for a 1-0 win before England-based Jermaine Beckford equalised with a minute left in normal time, to seemingly snatch a share of the points for Jamaica.
However, Brad Evans capped a dramatic final four minutes when he snatched victory for the Americans in the second minute of stoppage to send a hush over the National Stadium.
The defeat left Jamaica rock bottom of the six-team CONCACAF group on just two points. They have drawn two games and lost three.
With the victory, the US moved to seven points alongside Costa Rica who nipped Honduras 1-0 in San Jose.
In the other game played on Friday, giants Mexico were held to a surprise goalless draw in Panama City.
Needing a positive result to claw themselves back into contention in the final round competition, the Reggae Boyz instead found themselves chasing the game as the Americans dominated the early possession.
They could have been ahead as early as the second minute but Michael Bradley’s volley found the uprights.
However, they visitors eventually took the lead on the half hour mark when Jozy Altidore headed home Graham Zusi’s cross.
Two minutes later, Rodolph Austin wasted a chance to equalise when he sent his shot wide, as the Jamaicans went to the break a goal down.
In the second half, both sides traded shots but failed to find the nets until Beckford, who plays for Leicester City, brought the crowd to life when he slotted home Austin’s pass from close range in the 89th.
The partisan celebrations were short-lived, however, as Evans clinched victory with a strike the far right corner after he was set up by Bradley.
