In a spirited display of resilience, Jamaica’s Under-17 Reggae Boyz bounced back from a first-leg defeat to level the series against their Trinidad and Tobago counterparts at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence on Sunday.
The Reggae Boyz, trailing 0-1 from the first leg, found themselves a goal down early in the second leg but rallied to secure a 2-1 victory, thus ending the tie on level terms.
Goals from Glenmuir High School’s Orel Miller in the 38th minute and Mount Pleasant Academy’s Jahmari Nolan in the 61st minute propelled the young Reggae Boyz to victory after Trinidad and Tobago had initially taken the lead through Salim Soanes’ 15th-minute strike.
Simmons praised the team’s response to adversity
Assistant coach Carlton Simmons praised the team’s response to adversity, highlighting their determination to secure a positive result. Simmons also acknowledged the tactical challenges posed by Trinidad and Tobago’s strategic changes during the game, emphasizing the learning experience for his players. With preparations for World Cup qualification underway, the young Reggae Boyz will continue their development in upcoming camps, providing opportunities for additional players to showcase their abilities.
Trinidad and Tobago coach Shawn Cooper echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the competitive nature of the match and the invaluable experience gained by his players. As both teams look ahead to CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, Cooper emphasized the importance of scouting potential talent overseas to strengthen their squads.
The series draw serves as a testament to the competitive spirit and growing prowess of Jamaica’s youth football program, setting the stage for continued development and success on the international stage.
