Jamaica’s hopes of maintaining their unbeaten run in the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers took a heavy blow on Friday night as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Curaçao at the Ergilio Hato Stadium.
A spectacular early strike from Livano Comenencia and a cool finish from substitute Kenji Gorré secured the home side’s victory on their National Day — propelling Curaçao to the top of Group B on seven points, one ahead of the Reggae Boyz.
For Jamaica, it was a night defined by frustration, a sluggish opening, and a disallowed late goal that summed up what head coach Steve McClaren described as “one of those nights.”
“We lost the game in the first 20 minutes” — McClaren
Reflecting on the defeat, McClaren admitted his side’s slow start left them chasing the game far too early.
“I think we lost the game in the first 20 minutes,” the coach said bluntly. “They started strong, we were passive in our duels, and we didn’t keep the ball. The first goal is always going to be important — and they got it.”
McClaren acknowledged his team’s improved showing after the break but lamented their failure to convert dominance into goals.
“We fought back, dominated the second half, and made changes, but the disallowed goal kind of sums up the game. Richard King was really onside — it looked like we were never going to score and we didn’t. It just shows the importance of how you start.”
Early dominance from Curaçao
The signs of trouble came early. Curaçao pressed with intensity and almost took the lead within five minutes when Joshua Brenet forced Andre Blake into a sharp save. The breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute — a flowing move down the right flank to Jearl Margaritha, whose clever switch of play found Juninho Bacuna. A deft pass inside released Comenencia, who unleashed a thunderous drive from distance that screamed into the bottom-right corner, leaving Blake frozen to the spot.
The goal lifted the hosts and further silenced Jamaica’s rhythm. The visitors struggled to keep possession and looked short of creativity, save for Tyreece Campbell, who occasionally threatened down the right.
Jamaica’s best chance of the half came when Amari’i Bell played to Jonathan Russell, but his tame effort was cleared off the line — a moment that typified the Boyz’s labored first 45 minutes.
Nicholson and Dixon inject life, but Gorré delivers the knockout
McClaren’s halftime adjustments finally brought energy to Jamaica’s attack. Substitutes Shamar Nicholson and Kaheim Dixon arrived on the hour mark, and Nicholson made an instant impact — his first touch forcing goalkeeper Eloy Room into a sharp save.
Yet, just as momentum swung Jamaica’s way, Curaçao struck again. In the 68th minute, Kenji Gorré, introduced at halftime, collected a precise right-sided cross, wrong-footed Dexter Lembikisa, and calmly powered his shot past the helpless Blake for 2-0.
Jamaica responded almost immediately as Nicholson broke through the defense but dragged his effort wide of the far post. Their night of near-misses was crowned in frustration when Richard King appeared to pull one back in the 90th minute after linking neatly with Dixon — only for VAR to intervene and convince Canadian referee Bryan Lopez to rule out the goal, citing Karoy Anderson for interfering from an offside position.
Advocaat: “We started well, but everything is still open”
Curaçao head coach Dick Advocaat praised his side’s bright start but admitted they had to ride their luck late in the game.
“I said it before — Jamaica and Trinidad are very good teams,” Advocaat said. “We started very well in the first half, scored good goals, and created other chances. The last 10 minutes of the first half and the second half were more for Jamaica, and we were a little lucky they didn’t score.”
“We were fortunate to get the second goal at the right time. It was an equal game, but everything is still open. The good thing is that the other teams have to win too, and that brings pressure. For us, the key is to stay consistent.”
The Dutch tactician also noted the growing enthusiasm on the island. “When we started, maybe 100 people came to the games — now it’s 10,000. That says everything about how far this team has come.”
Jamaica left to regroup ahead of Bermuda clash
The result sees Curaçao move to the top of Group B with seven points, while Jamaica drop to second on six. Trinidad and Tobago stay third on four points after a 3-0 win over Bermuda, who remain bottom without a point.
Jamaica will now turn their attention to Bermuda, whom they host at Kingston’s National Stadium on Tuesday — a must-win to keep qualification hopes intact.
Teams: Jamaica – Andre Blake (GK), Richard King, Ethon Pinnock, Dexter Lembikisa, Amari’i Bell, Ian Fray (Karoy Anderson 73’), Bobby Reid (Jahshawn Anglin 73’), Jonathan Russell (Kaheim Dixon 61’), Renaldo Cephas, Tyreece Campbell (Dujuan Richards 80’), Bailey Cadamarteri (Shamar Nicholson 61’).
Booked: Fray (59’).
Substitutes not used: Jahmali Waite, Tafari Chambers, Damion Lowe, Greg Leigh, Joel Latibeaudiere, Mason Holgate, Rumarn Burrell.
Curaçao – Eloy Room (GK), Shurandy Sambo, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Joshua Brenet, Leandro Bacuna, Livano Comenencia (Godfried Roemeratoe 87’), Juninho Bacuna, Jearl Margaritha (Tyrese Noslin 58’), Jurgen Locadia (Roshon van Eijma 90’), Sontje Hansen (Kenji Gorré 46’).
Substitutes not used: Leandro Merencia, Trevor Doornbusch, Jayden Candelaria, Riechedly Bazoer, Arjany Martha, Kevin Felida, Jeremy Antonisse.
Referee: Bryan Lopez (Canada)
Group B Standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Curaçao | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 7 |
| Jamaica | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
| Trinidad | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| Bermuda | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -8 | 0 |
