Jamaica are the clear neutral’s favourites as the unheralded underdogs reached the final of the Gold Cup for the first time. PHOTO: AFP
The Jamaicans became the first Caribbean team to reach the side of the biennial North American regional football tournament by stunning holders and hosts US 2-1 in the semi-finals.
“We’ve just put one of the big boys out, so it just shows that we can hang with the best right now,” said Jamaican striker Giles Barnes. “That’s our confidence builder going into the final. We don’t fear anybody.”
Read: Gold Cup: US, Panama vie for the consolation of bronze
Mexico, meanwhile, have needed controversial foul calls to set up late penalty goals to barely escape Costa Rica in the quarter-finals and Panama in the semi-finals, with both extra-time losers having asked organisers for a formal investigation into “officiating irregularities”.
“It disgraces the tournament,” said Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez. “The final loses beauty and spectacle.”
Costa Rican officials went so far as to ask that the entire referees technical committee be removed and South American referees be used when the penultimate round of Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF ) begins in November.
Read: Gold Cup: Final beckons as US take on Jamaica
Mexico, while accepting that the officiating was below par, naturally did not see any reason for such harsh measures and were quick to distance themselves from the fracas. “The referee was very bad,” said Mexican coach Miguel Herrera. “But this happens. Sometimes there is controversy. It’s not our doing.”
Nevertheless, El Tricolores will be favourites to beat Jamaica and stretch their record trophy total to seven, including their third crown in the past four editions.
Jamaica know they are the definite underdogs but are not willing to lie down. “Mexico are one of the best teams in our region. They play fantastic football,” said coach Winfried Schaefer. “We have played well. We have shown we can score. We play well as a team. We do this for the country and for each other.”
Mexico escaped the quarter-final 1-0 after captain Andres Guardado converted a penalty beyond the 120th minute on a foul called for what appeared to be a Mexican player hurling himself to the pitch.
After playing a man down for 64 minutes, Panama led Mexico 1-0 in the semi-final only to see a penalty awarded to Mexico in the 89th minute, sparing a melee as players and coaches on both sides nearly came to blows. Then came a penalty kick, off a foul all agreed was legitimate, just beyond the 105th minute to send Mexico through to the final.
With several CONCACAF officials among those facing US charges for bribery in a federal probe into FIFA, the sanctioning body’s credibility had already taken a blow even before the latest sense by some that Mexico, and its huge set of supporters and viewers, were going to reach the final no matter what.
The Jamaicans’ best prior Gold Cup showing was a share of third in 1993, but taking only their second victory in 23 matches against the Americans made history for all Caribbean sides.“Our team brought tremendous spirit,” added Schaefer. “I hope we can bring the same in Philadelphia.”
However, Schaefer warned that it was too soon to celebrate after the US upset and the “Reggae Boyz” were happy to wait, and his players seem to agree. “It will be even sweeter,” said Barnes, “when we lift the Cup on Sunday.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2015.
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