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Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Jamaica's Shane Crawford celebrates scoring a goal against Guatemala during the second-half of their friendly international on Saturday. Jamaica defeated Guatemala 2-1. (Photo: AP)

Jamaica.........................................2
Shelton (41st), Crawford (70th)

Guatemala.........................................1
Plata (43rd, penalty)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida - Head coach of Jamaica, Wendell Downswell said he was more than satisfied with the rendition of his home-based and youthful Reggae Boyz outfit that defeated Guatemala 2-1 in a friendly here on Saturday.

Downswell, who succeeded Carl Brown at the helm of Jamaica's football programme, noted that young players like Reno defender Keniel Moodie and his club-mate Nicholy Findlayson rose to the occasion and said he was particularly proud of the youngsters.

"It was a grand opportunity for the youngsters to showcase their talent, they got the chance and I think they took it with both hands...," he said after Jamaica handed the Central Americans their third defeat in three meetings this year. The game was played at the Lockhart Stadium.

"When you look at a debutant at this level like (Keniel) Moodie, who has come here and competed so well, speaks volume for our home-based talent and their ability and promise for the future...," Downswell said.

Jamaica's team, made up of solely of local-based players, played a very business-like game in their victory, which was spearheaded by strikes from Harbour View's Luton Shelton (41st) and Village United's Shane Crawford. Juan Carlos Plata gave the Guatemalan their equaliser from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute.

Downswell said he was also impressed with the tactical discipline displayed by the team. "I believe tactically we played well, although we gave up a soft goal after scoring in the 41st minute; when you look both defensively and offensively, we were very disciplined," he noted.

Jamaica's first attempt on goal came in the third minute when Teofore Bennett's 25-yard low drive went marginally wide of the target. Less than a minute later, Bennett combined well with Shelton, but an onrushing Fabian Dawkins could not deliver a shot before being tackled from behind by a recovering defender.

In the sixth minute, Shelton, with a bit of room to manoeuvre, curled a left-footer goalward, but goalkeeper Paulo Motta was well-positioned to deal with the ball.

With 25 minutes played, the heavens opened and the rains came sending hundred of spectators from the bleachers scurrying for shelter, but the rains were soon gone and the focus back on the field.

Omar Daley in the 30th, and playing in an unfamiliar right-back position, made an enterprising run down his side of the field, taking out two players in the process, and when he was about to pull the trigger, he was brought down in the box, but the referee did not budge.

In the 41st, the Boyz's positive play paid off when Shelton, with no Guatemalan in sight, steered a diving header past goalkeeper substitute Miguel Klee from a Garfield Reid inswinging left-sided freekick.

But Guatemala struck back almost immediately from the penalty spot when goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers, forced to leave his line, brought down Fredy Thompson, as he tried to gather the ball. Plata, given the job to take the kick, made no mistake.

Jamaica regained the lead in the 70th minute, when Shane Crawford, making his return to the senior team after a lean spell, curled a left-footed free-kick from 25 yards past the Guatemalan goalkeeper, whose outstretched arms went nowhere near the ball.

Christopher Nicholas, last season's leading goal-scorer in National Premier League (NPL), got a glorious opportunity to add his name to the score sheet, but after he was cleverly played through by Crawford, he could not get a shot off from 16 yards, as he was challenged from behind.

Shelton had two chances late in the match just minutes apart from each other, but the goalkeeper was equal to the task in denying the Harbour View striker on each occasion.

The match had multiple substitutions from both teams and only Harbour View's goalie and Boys' Town's Oneil Thompson did not taste action. Guatemala used all of their players, as it was obvious that the coaching staff's intention was to give everyone some action as the game was the last prep for the Central Americans who head to Mexico for a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against the host on October 8.

The Reggae Boyz, eliminated from the qualifiers from the semi-final stage, will next play Australia in London on Sunday.

Starting Teams:

Jamaica - Shawn Sawyers, Desmond Breakenridge, Jermaine Taylor, Keneil Moodie, Omar Daley, Garfield Reid, Jermaine Johnson, Khari Stephenson, Fabian Dawkins, Luton Shelton and Teofore Bennett.

Booked: None

Subs not used: L Murray, O Thompson

Guatemala - Paulo Motta, Nelson Morades, Victor Hernandez, Fredy Thompson, Elmer Ponciano, Juan Carlos Plata, Julio Guiron, Selvyn Ponciano, Marion Menzie, Maynor Davila, Angel Sombria (ejected 85th).

Booked: Giron (38th), Sombria (78th, 85th).

Subs not used: None

Referee: Reggie Rutty

Assistants: Brian Poeshell & Adam Nehme

Fourth Official: Joe Carocio

(SEAN A WILLIAMS, Observer staff reporter)