In their second match of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, Jamaica’s Under-20 Reggae Boyz faced a tough 3-0 defeat against Costa Rica at Estadio Miguel Alemán Valdez in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Claudio Montero’s 51st-minute penalty set the tone, followed by Andy Rojas’ brace in the 67th and 83rd minutes, sealing the deal for the ‘Ticos’.
From the onset, Costa Rica dominated possession, placing Jamaica on the defensive. Despite creating several clear chances, they couldn’t break the deadlock in the first half. Jamaica, struggling to find their rhythm, managed to create a solitary chance but failed to capitalize.
Makai Bond Welsh ejected
The second half saw Costa Rica maintaining their upper hand. Six minutes into the half, Montero scored from the penalty spot after a foul in the box, giving Costa Rica the lead. Montero nearly doubled the advantage at the hour mark, only to see his effort cleared off the line.
Rojas then took charge, scoring a low strike in the 67th minute to put Costa Rica up 2-0. Jamaica’s woes were compounded when Makai Bond Welsh received a red card in the 71st minute for dissent. As the match neared its conclusion, the Reggae Boyz continued to falter, and Rojas added his second goal, volleying home a Walter Ramirez cross from six yards out, making it 3-0.
The win propelled Costa Rica to four points, two behind the United States, who thrashed Cuba 4-0 in the late game. Jamaica remains at the bottom of the standings without a point but still has a glimmer of hope for a quarter-final spot if they secure a victory against Cuba in their next match. Cuba has one point from their drawn first game with Costa Rica.
The Jamaicans were beaten 9-0 by the US in their first game last Friday.
