The young Haitians gave a spirited performance of hard running off the ball coupled with good ball skills and sharp finishing in the first 45 minutes to lead 2-0 at the break . Jamaica’s Richard West scored immediately upon the resumption, at the 46th minute from a melee in the goal area but this was not enough of an offensive thrust to thwart the early strikes of Kelly Jean-Rood (12th minute) alongside Max Louis (36th minute). The sharper team movement in attack and possession by Haiti gave signs of class as they overran the disorganised looking Jamaican unit which showed more ascendancy in the second half with the introduction of French based midfielder Keith Kelly aided by Christopher McCrea. Coach Downswell remains optimistic of his charges on the return game in Haiti if Kelly could be there earlier plus Sheldon Battiste and England based Cleveland Taylor to get the two goals needed to qualify with a victory.
Haiti Defeats Jamaica Under 20s In World Cup Qualifiers First Leg
