Reggae Boyz down Canada to reach gold Cup semis

GLENDALE, Arizona, (CMC) – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz stormed into the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup for a second consecutive campaign when they beat Canada 2-1 in their quarter-final clash here Thursday night.
Goals in either half from Shaun Francis and Romario William were enough to give the Caribbean powerhouses the edge at the University of Phoenix Stadium, and set up a final-four meeting with tournament favourites Mexico on Sunday in a rematch of the 2015 final.
The Mexicans, the defending champions, beat Honduras 1-0 in the other quarter-final at the same venue.
Jamaica got the early goal they chased in the sixth minute courtesy of a clinical finish from Francis. The enterprising Darren Mattocks, who caused Canada relentless problems with his pace, produced a good move down the left to burst into the penalty area.
He then picked out Francis on the far side for the Montreal Impact forward to produce an excellent finish and beat goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
Blake, who had an outstanding game with several brilliant saves, then preserved Jamaica’s lead in first half stoppage when he denied Dejan Jakovic from a goal-bound header.
However, Williams doubled his side’s advantage in style five minutes after the break, courtesy of further good work from Mattocks.
The Portland Timbers forward held off a defender on the left edge of the 18-yard box before squaring the ball off to Williams who sent a brilliant curling shot from just outside the area into the upper left-hand corner.
Hoilett set up a frantic end to the game when he halved the lead in the 61^st, beating Blake with a deft volley from 25 yards after Jamaica’s defenders had failed to close him down.
Canada launched an urgent bid for the equaliser but found themselves frustrated by the superb Blake who pulled off a string of fine saves to keep Jamaica in front.