ATLANTA — As delighted as Jamaica was with its stunning victory over the United States on Wednesday, the Reggae Boyz’s historic journey through the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup is not quite done. And no one is happier to continue on than head coach Winfried Schafer. The Reggae Boyz will face Mexico on Sunday in Philadelphia, and they will hope to become just their second team—after Canada in 2000—to break the dominance of the U.S. and Mexico in the confederation’s biggest international tournament. If they do so, a good amount of credit will go to coach Winfried Schafer, who has made all the right moves while managing his side marvelously this summer. It’s been a long road for the 65-year-old German and his players, who began their summer of football in the Southern Hemisphere as one of the two non-CONMEBOL teams invited to the Copa America in Chile. Like Mexico, Jamaica departed the competition at the group stage, but unlike Mexico, Jamaica used the same players in both the Copa America and Gold Cup. So despite losing all three games in Chile, Jamaica’s players had time to mesh. In addition, Schafer had further opportunity to instill his style and principles into […]
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Elaine ‘Slimmaz’ Thompson obliterated Merlene Ottey’s 24 year old Meet Record of 22.24 and issued a warning of her own on Day 2 of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games (London Diamond League). Thompson running out of lane 6 ran a sensational 22.10 (-0.3 m/s) to smash her previous personal best of 22.37 set in Kingston, Jamaica. The 2015 Jamaica National Champion moved away impressively from rivals to register the 4th fastest time of the year. Among the big scalps she claimed were the American duo of 2nd place Torie Bowie (22.32) and 3rd place Candyce McGrone (22.70). The University of Technology/MVP athlete has been the subject of much controversy after the surprise decision of her world-renowned coach Stephen ‘Franno’ Francis to pull her from the 100m at last month’s Jamaica ‘Trials’ after many were anticipating a marquee clash between the rising star and her training partner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. That led to widespread criticisms from many quarters and suggestions that the decision was a move to shield Fraser-Pryce from the red hot former Manchester High athlete who at the time was seen as a legitimate threat to the National Record Holder after her season best 10.84 clocking in the ‘B’ race at […]
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Jamaica’s Giles Barnes (9) celebrates after Jamaica defeated the United States 2-1 in a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer semifinal, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) In a stunning semifinal encounter, the current Caribbean champion absorbed significant amounts of initial U.S. pressure to strike twice before halftime through Darren Mattocks and Giles Barnes. Michael Bradley scored the Americans’ only goal shortly after the interval, but the Jamaicans managed to hold on for a historic victory. Mattocks, the joint-top scorer in the 2014 Caribbean Cup finals with three goals, returned from a one-match suspension to demonstrate why he merited a place in the starting lineup. In the 31st minute, a left-sided throw-in by Kemar Lawrence deep within the U.S. end found Mattocks, who was stationed eight yards from the goal. His looping header was directed off the right post and over the line to give Jamaica a 1-0 lead. Goal JAM by No.11 Darren Mattocks #GoldCup2015 Five minutes later, Giles Barnes doubled that advantage with his second goal of the competition. Jamaica was awarded a free kick after it was ruled that goalkeeper Brad Guzan handled the ball outside the box as he was about to distribute it […]
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Jamaica enters its the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal against the United States confident of progressing to the final despite posting only one win in 22 all-time meetings between the sides (1W-8D-13L). The Reggae Boyz (2015 Gold Cup record: 3W-1D-0L), who are coming off a 1-0 quarterfinal triumph over Haiti, want to make history at the Georgia Dome on Wednesday. (photo via Everardo Herrera) “We are definitely looking forward to create an upset,” defender Kemar Lawrence said. “We know that everyone is looking forward to the United States to come out and put us away. It’s not going to be like that on this day. It’s going to be a tough match right to the last whistle and my teammates are prepared to do anything right now to get to the next round.” [column2] [/column2][column2_last] [/column2_last] The lone Jamaica victory over the Americans came in qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when it rallied at home for a 2-1 win in 2012. “It’s going to be an unbelievable game,” remarked Lawrence. “We just want to create history. Jamaica has never won the Gold Cup before. That’s what’s on everyone’s mind right now — winning the Gold Cup.” CLICK […]
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Eight countries remain for the chance to be named best CONCACAF confederation team in all the land. Jamaica and Haiti will face off on Saturday night where the winner will advance to the semifinals. The winner of this game will face the winner of the United States vs. Cuba game in the next round. Not only does Jamaica want to defeat Haiti on Saturday in the first-ever Caribbean derby in the knockout rounds of a CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Reggae Boyz have set their sights on the trophy as well. No Caribbean team has captured the title in the previous 12 competitions and the Jamaicans are aiming to make history. “Our chances are as a good as any,” defender Kemar Lawrence remarked after Friday’s training at Stevenson University. “I said that before and some people laughed.” [column2] [/column2][column2_last] [/column2_last] Let’s break down the game and pick a winner. Jamaica (76) Not many soccer experts picked Jamaica, but they’re here, and they’re playing terrific. Jamaica qualified for this tournament because they won the 2014 Caribbean Cup over Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica fell in the new FIFA Rankings (as did about every North American team) to No. 76 in the world. […]
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Jamaican fencer Tia Simms-Lymn has won double bronze at the Commonwealth Under-17 and Under-20 Fencing Championships in Cape Town. Competing for Jamaica, the 16-year-old beat Rebecca Wakefield of England and Bonita Rui from Australia to reach the U17 semi-finals where she suffered a 14-8 defeat against Laura Sheffield of England. In the U20 event she beat Ena Arora before winning against Australian Emily Principe in the quarter-finals, 15-12. In an extremely close semi-final Simms-Lymn lost 15-14 to Elizabeth Powell from England. [column2] [/column2][column2_last] [/column2_last] Director of Modern Pentathlon and Fencing, Andy Hill, said: “This has rounded of a great year for Tia in which she has been a Youth Olympic finalist, Commonwealth senior silver medallist, Pan American U17 Champion and British U16 Champion.” Article via Plymouthherald.co.uk Photos via Tom Hoffmann and Tia Simms-Lymn Video via Tia Simms-Lymn
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Jamaican phenom Christopher Taylor improved his own 400M world age-15 best to 45.27 on Friday night to win gold at the IAAF World Youth Championships. The mark, which consolidates his sixth place on the world youth all-time list between a certain Kirani James and Usain Bolt, missed James’ championships record set in 2009 by just 0.03. “It was very hard to race today, the guys were so strong but I am happy to clinch the first gold medal for Jamaica in this championship. It is fantastic to run here in this stadium with that amazing crowd.” [column2] [/column2][column2_last] [/column2_last] Christopher Taylor has been in record breaking form all season over 400m and took his show to the highest level for his age group, the WYC. The brilliant Taylor not only lowered his own World Youth Best for a 15 year old but also erased the Jamaica National Youth Record of 45.35 set by none other that sprint legend Usain Bolt some 12 years ago. ‘Cubby’ as Taylor is affectionately called had two rivals for company coming into the homestretch but lengthened his strides impressively to win his semi-final in 45.30. The frightening thing for rivals is that Taylor seemingly had […]
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Usain Bolt has a message for all you young people out there to stay active over the summer holidays ahead of Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games 2015. [column2] [/column2][column2_last] [/column2_last]
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HOUSTON – Group B play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup continues Saturday as 2014 Caribbean Cup champion Jamaica with Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium. Here are Three Points to consider ahead of the game: 1) Can Canada sharpen its attack? On paper, Canada has the all the offensive talent and variety necessary to advance out of Group B and into the knockout stages. However, despite their obvious skills, the Canadians couldn’t find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw in its Gold Cup opener against El Salvador, failing to muster a single goal for the first time in their last six overall outings. However, the statistic of being shutout in four straight Gold Cup outings needs to be remedied if a spot in the quarterfinals is to be earned for the first time since 2009. [column2] [/column2][column2_last] [/column2_last] 2) The sun shines bright in Texas The heat has arrived in Houston. One of the most humid cities in the United States, Canada and Jamaica will face temperatures in the mid-to-high 90’s when they take to the field on Saturday. While the steamy conditions may favor Jamaica, both teams will be battling Mother Nature throughout their tilt. […]
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