Hawkins late goal keeps Jamaica in contention for World Cup entry

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, CMC- Substitute Simon Dawkins pulled Jamaica from the brink of expulsion by scoring in the penultimate minute of regulation time to hand Reggae Boyz a two-nil victory over Nicaragua in their second leg third round World Cup Qualifier here Tuesday night.

Dawkins’ late goal added to a first half conversion by Darren Mattocks and allowed Jamaica to advance to the Fourth Round of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying phase.

Needing to win by two clear goals, after a 2-3 loss to Nicaragua in the opening leg, the Reggae Boyz pressed the hosts and created a number of corners from which the opener emanated.

Mattocks put his country ahead in the 13th minute, slamming home the first goal after Demar Phillips executed a corner from the left side.

Dawkins’ winner in the 89th minute of play also originated from a corner after the ball was cleared into his path allowing him to fire with his left foot and silence 20,000 Nicaraguan fans inside the stadium.

Jamaica will join Group B which includes seeded teams Costa Rica, and Panama, as well as Haiti, the winner of the Third Round tie with Grenada.