Boyz back on top

JAMAICA RETURNED to the top of the Group B standings in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers following an emphatic 4-0 victory over Bermuda last night at the National Stadium.

An own goal from Bermudan defender Dante Leverock opened the scoring for Jamaica in the 24th minute before Bobby Decordova-Reid doubled the lead in the 26th.

Shamar Nicholson added Jamaica’s third goal with a close-range finish in the 35th minute before Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards sealed the result in the 76th.

Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren praised the team for their performance and said it was the perfect response following a defeat to Curaçao.

“I think it was a great response from the team and what we wanted was to be back in control of the group,” he said.

“We’re pleased with the reaction and pleased with the performance,” he continued. “We changed a few things, brought in the energy, and the players responded.”

Leverock handed Jamaica a gift of an opener as his attempted clearance of a ball swung into the box by Kasey Palmer ended up in the back of his own net.

Reid doubled Jamaica’s lead just two minutes later, sliding in the box to turn in a ball sent across the face of the goal by Renaldo Cephas.

Kaheim Dixon, a constant menace on the wings, was the next to try his luck, forcing a save from goalkeeper Dale Eve just before the half-hour mark.

Cephas again proved provider when he used his turn of pace to move past his marker and play in Nicholson, who made no mistake from close range.

Palmer started the second half with the same attacking urgency and forced a save from the goalkeeper in the 47th minute with a low-driven ball to the near post.

Bermuda proved that they would not go down without a fight, and Reece Jones earned a corner as his effort from close range was deflected out. But that wsa as close as the vistors would get.

Bermuda goalkeeper Dale Eve denied Cephas a goal in the 70th minute from point-blank range as the winger found himself free in the box and sent an effort that looked destined for the back of the net.

Second-half substitute Richards added his name to the scoresheet in the 76th minute with a display of individual brilliance.

The winger picked up the ball near the halfline before weaving his way past a host of players to fire into the bottom left corner.

It was his first goal in the national colours since the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup as he had recently returned from a long-term injury.

In the other Group B game, Curaçao and Trinidad and Tobago played out a 1-1 draw.

Kenji Gorre gave Curaçao the lead in the 19th minute before Tyrese Spicer rescued a point for the twin-island republic.

The result meanthat Jamaica has returned to the top of the group standings with nine points, moving ahead of Curaçao, who now sit second with eight.

Trinidad and Tobago trail in third place with five, while Bermuda, still without a win, are rooted to the foot of the standings and have been eliminated from contention for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

The final set of World Cup Qualifiers will be played in the November international window, with Jamaica taking on Trinidad and Tobago in an away fixture before hosting Curaçao at the National Stadium.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com