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Phillips' double puts Jamaica into last eight
Source: Agencies |
June 11, 2011, Saturday
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IMPRESSIVE Jamaica qualified for the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup after a brace from Demar Phillips gave the Reggae Boyz a 2-0 win over Guatemala yesterday.
With two wins out of two, the Caribbean side, coached by former player Theodore Whitmore, have made great strides since their group stage elimination two years ago.
"We are getting better and better each game and I am confident after what I have seen in these two games," said Whitmore, a key member of the team which reached the 1998 World Cup finals in France.
Playing with confidence in midfield and pace down the flanks, Jamaica were on top for most of the first half but Guatemala came close to an opener just before the break with a strike from Carlos Ruiz that flashed just wide.
But the breakthrough came in the 65th minute when Phillips latched on to a neat ball over the top from Keammar Daley in the 65th minute, bursting into the box on the left and firing into the bottom corner.
Guatemala's task became even tougher in the 70th minute when they had defender Cristian Noriega dismissed for a second yellow card.
The impressive Dane Richards went close with a close-range header that was well saved by keeper Ricardo Jerez but the second arrived soon after.
Phillips doubled the lead when Richards ran to the byline and pulled the ball back to the midfielder who slotted home.
After winning their opening game against Grenada 4-0, the Jamaicans, with six points, are guaranteed a place in the last eight of the CONCACAF tournament and Whitmore senses they could go further.
"We are really reaping the benefit of the nine day camp we had in Brazil where we focused on generating real team unity and spirit," he said.
"That's helped us a lot. We are better in possession and in finishing -- we are creating goals and scoring goals. Sometimes it is good to aim high," he said.
Guatemala, who have a point from their two games, still have a chance to progress if they can win their last game against the Grenadians.
With two wins out of two, the Caribbean side, coached by former player Theodore Whitmore, have made great strides since their group stage elimination two years ago.
"We are getting better and better each game and I am confident after what I have seen in these two games," said Whitmore, a key member of the team which reached the 1998 World Cup finals in France.
Playing with confidence in midfield and pace down the flanks, Jamaica were on top for most of the first half but Guatemala came close to an opener just before the break with a strike from Carlos Ruiz that flashed just wide.
But the breakthrough came in the 65th minute when Phillips latched on to a neat ball over the top from Keammar Daley in the 65th minute, bursting into the box on the left and firing into the bottom corner.
Guatemala's task became even tougher in the 70th minute when they had defender Cristian Noriega dismissed for a second yellow card.
The impressive Dane Richards went close with a close-range header that was well saved by keeper Ricardo Jerez but the second arrived soon after.
Phillips doubled the lead when Richards ran to the byline and pulled the ball back to the midfielder who slotted home.
After winning their opening game against Grenada 4-0, the Jamaicans, with six points, are guaranteed a place in the last eight of the CONCACAF tournament and Whitmore senses they could go further.
"We are really reaping the benefit of the nine day camp we had in Brazil where we focused on generating real team unity and spirit," he said.
"That's helped us a lot. We are better in possession and in finishing -- we are creating goals and scoring goals. Sometimes it is good to aim high," he said.
Guatemala, who have a point from their two games, still have a chance to progress if they can win their last game against the Grenadians.
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