Reggae Boyz Lose 0-1 to Guatemala; Antonio Returns After Injury

Reggae Boyz suffer 0-1 defeat to Guatemala in Gold Cup opener; Michail Antonio returns after lengthy absence following serious car accident

Jamaica starts Concacaf Gold Cup with 0-1 loss to Guatemala (Photo: Peter Simmons)

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz suffered a 0-1 defeat to Guatemala in their opening Concacaf Gold Cup Group C clash on Monday.

Just six days after beating Guatemala 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Kingston, the Boyz were undone by a 33rd-minute strike from Oscar Santis, who found the bottom left corner with a well-placed shot from inside the box.

With time running out, head coach Steve McClaren introduced Michail Antonio for his first appearance since a serious car accident sidelined him in December. Antonio nearly made an instant impact in the 87th minute, linking up with Leon Bailey in the box, but the winger’s effort was blocked.

Jamaica pressed for an equalizer in added time, with Bailey floating a pinpoint cross to Ethan Pinnock at the far post, only for the defender’s header to sail over the bar.

Michail Antonio (R) with Kasey Palmer, marks his first minutes since December (Photo: Peter Simmons)

McClaren’s team will now look to bounce back against Guadeloupe on Friday as they fight to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.