SAN SALVADOR (AP) – With an agonizing goal by Alex Roldan, El Salvador rescued a 1-1 draw against Jamaica on Friday, in a result that serves both teams little in the final octagonal of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying rounds.
At 81 minutes, in an individual play that mocked the mark of two defenders, the Caribbean striker Michael Antonio silenced the public at the Cuscatlán Stadium, by sending the ball into the nets on the body of goalkeeper Mario González.
The Jamaican striker from West Ham, who entered in the final part, stood in front of the attack, taking advantage of the balls when El Salvador was better and looking to open the scoring
Already at a disadvantage, Salvadoran coach Hugo Pérez changed his team’s stoppage and sent more legs to attack. The goal came in a high ball that got between the Jamaican posts, where the midfielder Roldán entered, who with a header defeated goalkeeper André Blake.
Despite the agonizing situation, El Salvador cannot raise its head. It shares with Costa Rica and Jamaica the penultimate place after adding just six units, five below Panama, which currently has the ticket for the intercontinental playoff.
“The outlook is complicated for us because Panama won and always remains in fourth place,” said Pérez, who was nonetheless satisfied with his team’s performance.
The first stage of the game was quite even. Jamaica sought to break lines with balls to the back of the Salvadoran defenders, but all their attempts failed without even launching a direct shot on the goal of Mario Gonzalez.
The Caribbeans sought to create danger with León Bailey, who plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League, but never managed to surpass the marks of the Salvadorans.
Well stopped the Salvadoran team, began to hit the ball to the ground and was about to open the scoring. In a space of a minute he slammed the ball off the crossbar twice, when Blake was beaten.
El Salvador harassed Jamaica, but was unable to liquidate the match. He was better in much of the game, but he still does not specify territorial control and almost falls at home.
“If today was my last match for the national team, I am going to be calm because we have done everything possible,” said Pérez.
On Tuesday El Salvador visits the surprising Panama that defeated Honduras 3-2, reversing a 2-0 deficit. Jamaica hosts the United States that defeated Mexico 2-0.
Despite being scored points in the final minutes, Jamaican coach Theodore Whitmore said he was calm.
“I’m not disappointed because we got an important point but the game is over. We are a bit crestfallen because we were close to victory, “he commented. “We have to first assimilate this game we had against El Salvador before preparing for the game with the United States on Tuesday.”
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