Reggae Boyz fall to Venezuela in Copa America opener

Photo: Josef Martinez celebrates after scoring for Venezuela against Jamaica in their Copa America opener on Sunday. Venezuela defeated Jamaica 1-0. (Getty Images)

Ten-man Jamaica went down 1-0 to Venezuela in their Copa America opener on Sunday, shot down by a 15^th minute strike from Josef Martinez. The Reggae Boyz fought valiantly after conceding early but the loss of former captain Rodolph Austin midway the first half compounded their problems and reduced their chances of getting something out of the game.

Jamaica got off to a bright start and a long clearance from Andre Blake in the third minute was flicked on by Giles Barnes into the path of Clayton Donaldson who was in on goal, but denied by the referee’s whistle after being marginally offside.

Donaldson almost gave Jamaica the lead in the 11^th minute when he benefitted from yet another long clearance but his shot was tipped over the crossbar by Danny Hernandez in the Venezuelan goal. Only the width of the crossbar denied the Reggae Boyz after Je-Vaughn Watson’s header from the resulting corner kick had left Hernandez stranded.

But it was Venezuela who would take the lead four minutes later, when they capitalized on a Jamaican giveaway in the final third and put some good passes together before releasing Martinez. The striker made no mistake from the edge of the six yard box, sending a low hard drive between the legs of Blake to make it 1-0.

The problems for the Winfried Schafer team were compounded in the 24^th minute when Austin was shown a straight red card for dangerous play.

To their credit Jamaica never went into their shell and good work by Donaldson and Barnes down the left kept the Venezuelans on their toes in the 37^th minute.

Leicester City captain Wes Morgan who started the game on the bench was brought on in the 40^th minute after Kemar Lawrence had to be withdrawn due to injury.

Two minutes later Morgan almost became the hero, but a free kick from Barnes was just outside of his reach.

A header in the second minute of first half stoppage time from Taylor was destined for the bottom corner but Hernandez was equal to the task.

Schafer became the second Jamaican representative to be shown the red card when he was banished to the stands after remonstrating with the referee in the middle of the field moments after the half time break was signaled.

Gerald Hector almost leveled things for Jamaica five minutes after the restart but his curling effort was tipped around the far post by Hernadez for a corner kick.

The lively Martinez almost doubled his and his team’s tally in the 62^nd minute but his goal bound effort was tipped behind for a corner by Blake.

Jobi McAnuff was left pulling out his hair after he was unable to steer his effort on target after benefitting from a pullback from his teammate.

With 20 minutes left in the game, Blake pulled off yet another fine save, this time at the back post, denying Angle who was left unmarked and allowed to shoot on goal following a corner kick.

Jamaica kept pushing for the equalizer and with just about a quarter of an hour left to play, Watson got probably the best chance of the game for Jamaica. The ball fell kindly for the midfielder in the area but his shot on the half volley sailed high over the crossbar.

The South Americans were then able to see out the game, managing the clock properly to claim an important three points.

Jamaica next plays rivals Mexico while Venezuela faces Paraguay on Thursday.