Reggaeboyz Web

[rbadmin]

Gardner's brace breathes life in Boyz's campaign after 3-0 win over El Salvador
Howard Walker, Observer writer
Monday, November 19, 2007



Two goals by Ricardo Gardner in the 38th and 83rd minutes led Jamaica to an easy 3-0 win over El Salvador
in their International Friendly game at the National Stadium yesterday, as the new Captain Horace Burrell
era got off to a winning start.

Rudolph Austin gave the Reggae Boyz a deserved lead in the 33rd minute with a spectacular goal from
some 35 metres that whistled past goalkeeper Miguel Moreno before he knew what hit him.
Captain Gardner then doubled the lead in the 38th minute after Luton Shelton's penetrating dribble
was deflected into his path, and he calmly slotted home from 12 metres.

Gardner, who plays for Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League, notched his second and
Jamaica's third goal with seven minutes remaining, as fans began waltzing out in a disappointing
second-half display.

In a dominating first-half, the Boyz took control from the outset and never looked back, with Ricardo Fuller,
Luton Shelton, Gardner, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Demar Phillips looking lively and being a constant
threat to the El Salvadorian defence. Fuller, Campbell-Ryce and Phillips all had shots on goal, but from
difficult angles that either were blocked by goalkeeper Moreno or went wide.

The Reggae Boyz dominance was such that it took El Salvador 22 minutes to make an attempt on the
Jamaican goal via a free-kick some 25 metres out.

The half ended 2-0, but the expected goal feast never materalised in the second half, especially after
Alfredo Pacheco was red-carded in the 56th minute for stomping on goalscorer Austin.

It took Jamaica another 45 minutes before Gardner side-footed home from just outside the box, making
the scoreline more reflective of Jamaica's dominance. It was a poor display by El Salvador and
Jamaicans should not read too much into the result because this is a weak Latin American team that
offered nothing.

Nevertheless, it was exactly what new Jamaica Football Federation president, Captain Horace Burrell,
wanted to kick start his new era as Jamaica prepared for their World Cup Qualifying campaign next year.
It was also a successful start for interim head coach, former Reggae Boy star player, Theodore 'Tappa'
Whitmore and assistant Bradley Stewart.

The crowd came out in their numbers and Captain Burrell's wish might not have been realised in terms of
a full capacity, but it was a promising turn out for Jamaica's first game at the "Office" since their June 6
engagement against South American outfit Chile.

Since that game, the Boyz, comprising locally-based players under the guidance of well-travelled Serbian
coach, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, have lost three times in four outings on an Asian tour, which resulted in the
nation plummeting to 103 on the FIFA rankings.

The Reggae Boyz will entertain Guatemala on Wednesday at 7:00 pm.

Teams: Jamaica - Richard McCullum (Dwayne Kerr 74th), Damion Stewart (Demar Stewart 66th),
Rudolph Austin, Ricardo Gardner, Jamal Campbell-Rice (Jermaine Johnson 66th), Demar Phillips,
Oneil Thompson (Khari Stephenson 79th), Shavar Thomas, Tyrone Marshall, Luton Shelton,
Ricardo Fuller (Dane Richards 74th). Subs not used: Wolry Wolfe, Ricardo Geddes, Damion Williams,
Sean Fraser, Rafe Wolfe, Christopher Jackson.

Booked: Campbell-Ryce (49th)
El Salvador - Miguel Moreno, Luis Campos, Alexander Rosales, Manuel Rivas, Alfredo Pacheco,
Shawn Hendriquez, William Castillo (Dennis Romero 44th), Ramon Sanchez, Eliseo Ortiz,
Ronald Flores, Franciso Rivera (Jose Mendoza 64th, William Maldonado 79th).

Subs not used: Henry Cruz, Jonathon Alvarado, Mark Pineda, Jose Manzaners.

Booked: Franciso Rivera (35th), Eliseo Ortiz (45th), Alfredo Pacheco (Ejected 56th)

Referee: Alfredo Whittaker (Cayman Islands)

Assistant Referees: Ricardo Morgan (Jamaica), Rohan Thorbourne (Jamaica)
Fourth Official: Karl Tyrell (Jamaica).
Match Commissary: Horace Lewis.