Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz left it late but secured their second win of the CONCACAF Gold Cup football competition on Friday (July 16) when they stopped French-speaking Caribbean neighbours Guadeloupe 2-1 at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Guadeloupe stunned the Reggae Boyz in the fourth minute when Amari’i Bell scored an own goal, but the Jamaicans fought back to equalise 10 minutes later through Cory Burke before substitute Junior Flemmings got the winner in the 87th minute.

The victory left the Reggae Boyzin in the lead in the points standing in Group C of the competition, as they won their second consecutive match to be on six points after defeating Suriname 2-0 in their opening encounter.

JAMAICA CONTROLS THE GAME

Costa Rica would however take the lead later Friday night, on goal difference, after beating Suriname 2-1.

Guadeloupe took the lead from a quick counter-attack and Bell trying to block a shot, deflected the ball past goalkeeper Andre Blake.

Jamaica had controlled the action before then and continued to press after the goal and eventually found the equaliser when Guadeloupe’s goalkeeper Frédéric Tejou made a clearance to the half-line.

Jamaica launched a quick attack as Burke to the left at the top of the 18-yard box, curled the ball into the goal at the foot of the far post.

The Reggae Boyz stepped up the pace in search of the winner in the second half, placing Guadeloupe under pressure and got a grand opportunity to take the lead about the hour mark, but Sharmar Nicholson fired over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box after a quick counter.

Leon Bailey later forced an excellent save from goalkeeper Tejou, before Flemmings, who entered the match in the 61st minute for Michael Hector, executed a beautiful individual goal for the victory.

Bailey, on the left, played the ball to the top of the 18-yard box to Flemmings. Dismissing two defenders and with another closing him down, Flemmings fired through the legs of Tejou.