J/ca end World Cup campaign with 2-2 draw against Honduras

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Jamaica held Honduras to a two all draw to bring the curtains down on their Brazil 2014 World Cup campaign at the National Stadium here Tuesday night.

The Reggae Boyz were forced to come from behind twice as Deshorn Brown and captain Rodolph Austin found equalizers in front an estimated 4,000 supporters.

Honduras made a lightning start when Carlo Costly put his country ahead in the first minute after Jamaica failed to mop-up from a corner.

However, the Reggae Boyz hit back two minutes later when Brown squeezed a ball in at the near post.

Jamaica, who was already out of contention for world cup qualification, continued to press their opponents and Jobi McAnuff was unlucky as his edge-of-box looper went marginally high in the 14th minute. Honduras, who only needed a point from the encounter to book their spot to Brazil 2014, regained the lead when Maynar Figueroa beat goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr with a 25-yard freekick in the 33rd minute.

Jermaine Anderson exploded in the 58th minute with a shot that ricocheted of Honduras goalkeeper Noel Bonilla and led to the second equalizer.

Under the resulting pressure a Honduran player handled the ball in the area and Jamaica were awarded a penalty, which captain Rodolph Austin easily converted.

Jamaica finished at the bottom of the six-nation qualifiers with five points while Honduras clinched the third and final spot with 15 points.

The USA, who had booked their spot with two games remaining, defeated Panama 3-2 in their final match to end the tournament on 22 points.

Costa Rica, who also booked their spot early, edged Mexico 2-1 to finish on 18 points.
Mexico booked the fourth-place play-off spot having gathered 11 points, while Panama (eight) join Jamaica as the country failing to progress to the game’s showpiece event.