Reggae Boyz shock Chile 2-1

Goals by Clayton Donaldson in the 38^th minute and Joel Grant in the 53^rd, were enough to provide the win for the FIFA 55^th ranked Reggae Boyz over their No. 3 ranked opponents, who had Nicolas Castilo scoring a consolation goal in the 81^st minute.

The victory will do a lot for the confidence of the Boyz and diminish that of Chile, as both teams were using this match as a warn up to the Copa America Centenario, which will begin on June 3 in the USA.

The Reggae Boyz had the better of play for most of the first half and missed a number of easy scoring chances, which all came through attacks down the right flank.

First Giles Barnes missed from the top of the area from a Gareth McLeary right side cross that found him unmarked and then with almost an identical play, with Barnes being the provider this time, Lee Williamson fired over from just about the penalty area.

Clayton Donaldson was set free but was tackled just inside the penalty box by the Chilean goalkeeper but shortly afterwards he gave the Reggae Boyz the lead when McLeary again dismissed an opponent down the right flank before crossing low inside. The ball was missed by a bunch of players and it rolled to Donaldson who fired home past the advancing custodian.

The goal was the inspiration the Chileans needed and they launched a number of attacks of their own but was thwarted by stout defending by the Reggae Boyz as well as a bit of misfortune.

They started the second stanza on the attack also with Alexis Sanchez getting in a header after a high looping left side cross was mishandled by the Jamaican defence. The header was blocked by goalkeeper Ryan Thompson, before being cleared safely.

However, it was the Reggae Boyz who found the back of the net for a second time, when another attack down the right, had Barnes crossing inside the area. Grant smartly darted forward then backtracked, which confused his markers and provided him with a free chance to head down, as the ball bounced and beat the goalkeeper to lodge into the back of the net.

Down 0-2 the Chileans marched forward in numbers, with the Jamaicans also contented to defend in numbers. The former had the upper hand though, as they create a number of scoring chances and went close a number of times, with fortune favouring the Boyz.

With coach Winfried Schaefer being sent to the changing room by the referee, the Boyz luck turned somewhat, as Chile was a bit fortunate in getting their consolation goal. One of their attack was broken up by Kemar Lawrence in the six-yard box, and his intended clearance ricochet off Castilo and into the back of the net.