In a thrilling semi-final at Brentford Community Stadium, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz secured their place in the Unity Cup final in London, edging out Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in a match that swung dramatically on Tuesday.
Jamaica surged ahead early when Casey Palmer coolly converted a “Panenka” penalty in the 25th minute, earned by Ronaldo Cephas after a clumsy challenge from Trinidad’s Jamal Jack inside the box.
The Reggae Boyz doubled their lead in the 53rd minute with a moment of magic from debutant Rumarn Burrell, who executed a stunning overhead kick after Trinidad’s goalkeeper Marvin Phillip parried a cross into his path.
Trinidad and Tobago, however, refused to fold. Just a minute later, Isaiah Leacock pulled one back, capitalizing on a rare lapse from Jamaica’s goalkeeper Shaquan Davis in the 54th minute.
The Soca Warriors leveled the score in the 69th minute when veteran Kevin Molino pounced on a loose ball after a free kick struck Davis’ post, blasting it home from close range.
As the match appeared destined for a penalty shootout, Cephas once again proved pivotal, drawing a foul from Phillip in the box during stoppage time. Up stepped Richard King, fresh off a shootout goal in the Jamaica Premier League final, who smashed the decisive penalty past Phillip to seal Jamaica’s victory.
King, Palmer, and Burrell, all first-time international scorers, propelled Jamaica to the final, where they await the winner of Wednesday’s Ghana-Nigeria clash.
