Jamaica defeated a spirited Dominica 3-2 in their Concacaf World Cup second-round Group E game at Windsor Park, Roseau on Sunday to join Guatemala on six points at the top of the tables.
Shamar Nicholson scored a brace as Jamaica led 3-0 with just over 10 minutes to go before the hosts stormed back late with two goals in six minutes, setting up a tense finish.
After leading 2-0 at the halftime break, Jamaica came out more aggressive at the start of the second half but was let down by poor finishing and good goalkeeping from the Dominican captain Glenson Prince.
Nicholson, who had given Jamaica the lead after 30 minutes, made the score 3-0 when he converted from the penalty spot in the 79th minute after defender Eskim Williams handled the ball in the penalty area.
However, Javid George who came in as a second-half substitute for Julian Wade pulled a goal back for the hosts when he rounded goalkeeper Jahmali Waite in the 82nd minute and fired into an open goal.
Lifted by this goal, the Dominicans kept up the pressure, and a foul by Michael Hector just outside the 18 yards area gave the hosts a free kick which Troy Jules, who was on the books of Mt Pleasant FA this season before moving to the Norwegian fourth division, fired spectacularly into the top far corner, giving Waite no chance.
Dominica’s coach Ellington Sabin hailed the performance of his team calling it a “spirited fight back” while Jamaica’s Assistant Coach John Wall says the 3-2 result was not a true reflection of their performance in the Concacaf World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park on Sunday.
Wall believes the team should have been more clinical but was pleased they overcame issues with the weather and the field.
“It was more based on the pitch, which leaves a lot [to be desired]. It’s 120 metres depth and 75 metres wide. That’s a cricket pitch. That’s not up to standard. Overall, Dominica performed well within their means and counter-attacked with the two, or three players they had upfront but, overall, we should have controlled the game much better and finished it off with the chances we had,” he said.
“It was more based on 80 minutes of a controlled game and 10 minutes of a less so. It’s always hard to play away with external factors [such] as the pitch, players coming back after a restart, and everything, and there’s a short time between games one and two —same as Dominica. But we cannot get three points more than that,” Wall added.
He praised Dominica for their late surge after their heavy defeat to Guatemala last week.
“It’s progress, and [we’ve] got to give credit for the bounce-back mentality coming from a 6-0 game and coming into this game and shaping up for the crowd. But, it’s way different and becomes a very undynamic game, but I’m biased and that’s how I view it. But, overall, for Dominica to bounce back I have to give credit for that,” said Wall.
World Cup qualifying resumes in June 2025.