Reggae Boyz draw 2-2 with Costa Rica

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz played to a 2-2 draw with Cost Rica in their Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF) Gold Cup opening game at the Stubhub Centre in California, United States of America.

The Boyz took the lead but gave up two simple goals in the first half, to enter the break behind 1-2 before pulling one back in the final stanza to earn a share of the points.

The game was open affair in the second half, with action swinging from end to end and both goalkeepers having to pull off saves to keep their team in the contest. Jamaica’s Dwayne Miller was the more active of the two though, stopping a number of Costa Rica’s attacks.

Gareth McLeary gave Jamaica the lead in the 13th minute when he slotted home off a deflection from about the six yard box, after a throw in from the left side was poorly handled by the Costa Rican defence and the ball bounced to him unmarked at the far side.

Poor defensive work was also at fault for Costa Rica’s two goals. A free kick on the left of the Jamaican area was not properly cleared and an unmarked Roy Miller head past Reggae Boyz goalkeeper Miller for the equalising goal in the 33rd minute.

Four minutes later, Miller was lobbed by David Ramirez, who benefitted from the goalkeeper’s slow reaction to a long ball over the Jamaican defence that gave Costa Rica the lead.

Jamaica’s equaliser came from a solo effort by Jobi McAnuff in the 48th minute who slid past a number of Costa Rican defenders before side-footing past the advancing goalkeeper.