The Jamaicans have become an uncomfortable rival for both Mexico and the US, and this time will not be the exception as they have all their stars European
CARLOS HORTA MARTINEZ
CANTON GROUP
USA. – The first key to the semifinals of the gold Cup that was made up was that of Jamaica vs. Mexico. El Tri beat Costa Rica 2-0 on Saturday night, with scores from Orbelín Pineda and Érick Sánchez, while the Reggae Boys reached the semifinals after they beat Guatemala 1-0 this Sunday with the solitary goal of Amari’i Bell.
Mexico finished as the leader of Group B with six points, as a result of the victories against Honduras and Haiti, as well as the defeat against Qatar. Jamaica finished the first phase undefeated, but in second place in sector A. They drew against the United States, beat Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Mexico and Jamaica They will meet tonight for the fourth time in a semifinal in the history of the Gold Cup. The Tricolor has a positive balance of two wins, the same ones that occurred in the 1993 and 1998 editions. In 2017, the Reggae Boys emerged victorious.
El Tri has gone through a sea of storms since the beginning of its activity in the Concacaf Nations League, as well as lapses during the Gold Cup, and Jamaica, the next rival in said fair, appears as a new litmus test for the Mexican team due to because it has become an uncomfortable rival thanks to the development it has had in recent years.
Jamaica summoned its best men to fight for its first international title and thus frame in gold the rising participation that the team has had in the tournament since 2015.
Jamaica has become an awkward rival for both Mexico and the United States in recent years. Proof of this is that the Caribbean team beat the Stars and Stripes in the 2015 semifinals (1-2), although they lost the final 3-1 against El Tri.
Two years later, Jamaica reaffirmed that it has shortened the gap with respect to the ‘giants’ of the area and advanced to the final at the expense of Mexico, whom they beat 1-0, although the outcome for their cause was similar, since they succumbed 2 to 1 against the United States.
In 2019, the so-called Reggae Boyz they slipped into the semifinals, but were eliminated by the United States 3-1 and shared third place with Haiti.
In 2021, Jamaica suffered a premature elimination to their previous roles, as the United States was their rival in the quarterfinals and beat them 1-0.
Template European
In addition to the characteristic features of Jamaica, such as speed, physical power and good aerial play, this team is catalyzed by players with experience in European soccer and who stand out in championships such as the English Premier League.
In the first instance, center forward Michail Antonio, 33, scored 14 goals last season in the league with West Ham and won the Conference League. At his sides he is accompanied by Demarai Gray, 23, who plays for Everton and had options to defend the England team, although he decided on Jamaica, as well as Leon Bailey, 25, and in the current Aston Villa squad. .
Also from the Premier League are defenders Dexter Lembikisa (Wolverhampton), Amari’i Bell (Luton Town FC), Rupert Pinnock (Brentford FC) and midfielder Bobby Decordova Reid (Fulham FC).
Mexico suffers against Jamaica
The last precedent between Mexico and Jamaica goes back to the last day of the Concacaf Nations League, in a duel held on the field of the Azteca Stadium and in which the visit was advanced twice in the electronic and the one forced to equalize was the Tri.
In that duel, Bobby Decordova-Reid surprised the Mexican net at 7′, Orbelín Pineda equalized ten minutes later, Edson Álvarez scored an own goal and Hirving Lozano saved the night at 45’+2 from the penalty spot.
Prior to the World Cup, Mexico visited Kingstone on the fourth date of the National League and returned to its territory after rescuing a point with a tie at one goal.
That evening, Leon Bailey opened the action at 4′ and Luis Romo put the boat back together at 45’+3.
It is worth mentioning that the last time Mexico and Jamaica met in the Gold Cup semifinals, in 2017, the Caribbeans imposed conditions 1-0 thanks to a goal at 88′ by Michael Lawrence.
GOLD CUP
semifinals
Mexico vs. Jamaica
Date: Wednesday 12 July
Hour: 20:00
TV: Channel 5 and Azteca 7
Panama VS US
Date: Wednesday 12 July
Hour: 5:30 pm
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2023-07-11 22:58:25
#Mexico #suffers #Jamaica
