Favourites thrash Jamaica for record seventh Gold Cup
Mexico's Oswaldo Alanis (left) and Francisco Javier Rodriguez go up for the ball against Jamaica's Giles Barnes during their Gold Cup final on Sunday. (Photo: AFP)
Philadelphia (USA): Mexico shook off two controversy-laden triumphs to defeat Jamaica 3-1 in Sunday’s Gold Cup final, hoisting a record seventh trophy and shrugging off any notion of a tainted title.
Mexican captain Andres Guardado scored in the 31st minute, Jesus Corona added another in the 47th and Oribe Peralta scored in the 61st as two defensive blunders by Michael Hector doomed Jamaica’s championship dream in the biennial North American regional football tournament.
“We’re very happy,” Mexico manager Miguel Herrera said. “We dominated the ball. We got the rhythm we wanted and controled the play. It’s a great satisfaction for all of us.”
Jamaica, whose lone goal came from substitute Darren Mattocks in the 79th minute, settled for a runner-up finish after becoming the first Caribbean squad to reach the Gold Cup final, thanks to a 2-1 upset of the United States in the semifinals. The best prior ‘Reggae Boyz’ showing was a share of third in 1993.
“For me this is not silver. For me this is gold,” Jamaica manager Winfried Schaefer said. “Nobody gave us a shot. This team played all its matches over its head. I’m very proud to coach this team. Jamaica should be very proud.”
Guardado, named Golden Ball winner as the tournament’s top player, became the first player to score in three Gold Cup finals.
Guardado, who has 10 career Gold Cup goals, also scored in a 2007 final loss to the USA and a 2011 win over the Americans.
El Tricolores were powered by the Gold Cup’s most productive attack and humbled a Jamaican side that had been the event’s top defenders, surrendering only three goals in five prior matches.
Guardado’s left-foot volley of a Paul Aguilar cross put Mexico on top for good and Corona scored two minutes into the second half by stealing the ball from Hector and blasting it between defender Wes Morgan’s legs and inside the far post.
“This goal was a killer goal,” Schaefer said. Schaefer took a dig at West Indies cricket dominating attention in Jamaica while his team made its historic run in the Gold Cup.
“I want to send a message across to people who don’t understand what our players are doing for their country,” Schaefer said. “I don’t want to hear about ‘bowlers.’”
( Source : AFP )
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