MAGICAL dribbling and clinical finishing by Ricardo Fuller and Omar Daley last night handed Jamaica a 2-0 victory over Guatemala as the Reggae Boyz ticked off their second straight victory inside 'The Office', following Sunday's 3-0 win over El Salvador.
Guatemala were plunged two goals down after 22 minutes as Fuller opened the scoring in the 10th and Daley doubled the tally 12 minutes later.
Pouncing on a half clearance 40 yards on the right side of midfield, Fuller sped into the box with central defender Gustavo Cabrera hot on his heels.
The in-form Stoke City forward spotted goalie Pedro Molina racing off his line and neatly chipped the ball over the advancing 'keeper to put the Reggae Boyz up 1-0.
The crowd of 15,000 supporters inside the National Stadium did not have to wait long before Daley had them on their feet, dicing his way into the box and firing past Molina after collecting a long ball floated to the right flank by Rudolph Austin in midfield.
Speaking through an interpreter, Guatemalan coach Hernan Dario Gomez, a former Colombian national player and manager, said he was extremely upset after the loss and apologised after having to be coaxed into participating in the post-match press conference.
"Congratulations to the Jamaican team. I have been around the world and they are very good," he said.
"Jamaica was superior in every aspect for the entire game. We're going to use this game to make some changes in the team," he added, no doubt referring to CONCACAF qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, which starts early next year.
Third minute
Following their 0-1 loss against Honduras in Miami on Saturday night, Guatemala, who placed third behind the United States and Mexico at the 2007 Gold Cup, again employed the 4-5-1 formation.
Similar to their loss in Miami, it was again down the flanks which bothered the Guatemalans most, and was evident from as early as the third minute when Molina was called on to deny Daley on the right at his near post.
No less than two minutes later, Daley sent a high cross to the left for striker Luton Shelton running into the box but his header bobbed over the bar after bouncing in front of the goal.
The Sheffield United striker didn't spend much time on the field after that as he was substituted injured in the 21st minute, with the speedy Dane Richards taking his place.
Richards showed good skill and pace and gave midfielder Demar Phillips what should have been Jamaica's third goal four minutes from time, sending the perfect ball inside the box from the right flank.
However, the former Waterhouse midfielder failed to keep his cool, with only the keeper to beat, and scooped his effort high over the bar.
Guatemala, ranked 100th by FIFA, three places above Jamaica, who they have never beaten, were clearly outclassed, forcing Gomez to make early attacking changes, which bore no fruit.
Their best effort was called off-side in the 24th minute, when Lester Ruiz's strong header was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Ricketts, making a reflex save.
