In what was arguably their best performance of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers to date, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were held to a 0-0 by Canada at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday. Coming off a poor performance last Thursday when the Reggae Boyz were blanked 2-0 by the USA, Head Coach Theodore Whitmore was pleased with the defensive improvements.

“First, I think we were solid in the defence today and that is something that we worked on from the US game. And, I think it is a start to keep a clean sheet and we only can build on this performance going forward,” he said.

Following an even first half, both teams pressed for victory and three points after the interval.

Canada had a chance early before a Jamaica free kick in the 50th minute taken by Kemar Lawrence was met by Junior Flemmings, who hit the post with a header. In the 80th minute, Jamaica’s Kemar Roofe led a counter-attack and tried his luck from outside the box with a strong right-footed effort, but narrowly missed the upper 90 of Canada GK Maxime Crepeau’s net.

Canada kept pushing for the breakthrough goal as well, with chances in the 84th minute when Alistar Johnson was unable to get his effort on target after a nice build-up, followed by an opportunity the 86th minute when Alphonso Davies pulled a few tricks out of his bag, but ultimately ran into the Jamaican defence in the area.

Lawrence once again drew Crepeau into action as the match ticked into the final minute of stoppage time, but the Canadian shot-stopper made the save to preserve the point.

Jamaica now hits the road again, travelling to face Honduras. Canada will play its first home match of the October FIFA window on Wednesday, welcoming Panama to BMO Field in Toronto.