Jamaica succumbed to their second defeat in succession in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, this time losing to Costa Rica.
The Reggae Boyz knew that a win was required to kick start their tournament after their shock opening day defeat to Canada, but their case wasn`t helped when midfielder Rodolph Austin was sent off after 35 minutes.
The challenge on midfielder Celso Borges seemed fairly innocuous but nevertheless the SK Brann player was sent to the dressing room by American official Jair Marrufo.
In a game where Jamaica required victory to bolster their chances of progression, boss Theodore Whitmore took the perplexing move of removing two strikers, Ricardo Fuller and Nicholas Addlery, for two defensive midfielders Jason Morrison and Oneil Thompson as they emerged from the half time break.
It was a substitute that make an impact on the fixture but unfortunately for Jamaica Costa Rican Pablo Herrera was that spark that the game required. His burst of pace down the right bought him some space, and some lax marking allowed him to square for the aforementioned Borges to tap home.
With little over 20 minutes remaining QPR defender Damion Stewart was withdrawn for tactical reasons as Whitmore discovered that his strike force was becoming too isolated. Former Sheffield United man Luton Shelton was his replacement in a tactical shake-up.
It was to no avail as poor decision making and finishing require Jamaica to beat El Salvador in the final group game and hope other results go their way to qualify for the next stage.
Jamaica: Donovan Ricketts, Damion Stewart (Luton Shelton 69), Tyrone Marshall, Claude Davis, Demar Phillips, Jermaine Johnson, Rodolph Austin, Ricardo Gardner, Ricardo Fuller (Jason Morrison 46), Nicholas Addlery (Oneil Thompson 46), Omar Cummings.
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