Late strike seals narrow win for Reggae Boyz

THE LAST time the Reggae Boyz journeyed to Grenada for a game, they came away with a handsome 4-1 back in 2023.

This time around, it was completely different, as it took a solitary late goal from substitute Nickalia Fuller to give Jamaica a 1-0 victory over Grenada in their international friendly at the Kirani James Stadium yesterday, providing a winning start for interim coach Rudolph Speid.

In a match of few clear chances, both sides struggled to find their attacking rhythm in the early exchanges. The first notable attempt fell to a Jamaican debutant, Nickyle Ellis, who fired an ambitious 28-yard effort wide in the 26th minute.

Grenada squandered their best opportunity just before halftime. A swift counter-attack presented a three-on-one advantage, but Jermaine Francis could only blaze his shot high and wide from distance, letting the Reggae Boyz off the hook.

The hosts came agonisingly close to an opener in the 76th minute. Keston Williams' dangerous cross from the right was nearly turned into his own net by Jamaica's captain Damian Lowe, the ball whistling just past the right upright of goalkeeper Amal Knight.

A plethora of substitutions did the trick for the visitors, as the deadlock was finally broken with composure and patience.

A fluid Jamaican move down the right saw Dwayne Atkinson glide past defender Josh Gabriel before slipping a precise low cross into the area.

The arriving Nikalia Fuller made no mistake, slotting home calmly in the 81st minute to secure the win.

Post-match, a satisfied coach Rudolph Speid praised his team's application.

"I thought that we moved the ball very well. They were very composed trying to play the ball through midfield, and if that didn't happen, I thought the players were patient enough to try something else. What we're looking for is to see if the players would play like how we train. And I think largely we have achieved that."

He added that the technical staff would review the performance, stating, "We'll see if all of our tactics we had tried to employ were implemented and what we did well."

Speid also had high praise for his livewire winger Dwyane Atkinson.

"He (Dwayne Atkinson) always has a little bit of magic in him, and I thought he pulled it out today to help us to get the win."