Jamaica's U-20 Reggae Boyz played a hard fought game but failed to stop Equador for the gold medal in the Pan American Games football final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro Brazil yesterday. Jamaica, the first Caribbean nation in 28 years to reach the finals, fell 2-1 to their South American opponents in capturing their historic silver medal.

The game started in chilly conditions and Jamaica stunned their opponents in the fifth minute as Eric Vernon latched on to a perfectly waited pass from Kemmar Daley, and calmly slip the ball past Ecuadorian custodian Maximo Banguera. With the small Brazilian crowd firmly in Jamaica's corner cheering every move, and their confidence lifted by the early goal, the young Boyz took control as they had the Ecuadorian defenders in disarray early in the first half.

Ecuador slowly settled and proceeded to dominate, forcing the Jamaican keeper Duwayne Kerr to pull off a few excellent saves. In one such move, late in the half, Kerr had to change direction in mid-air to stop a well-struck 30 yard shot from Israel Chango. Jamaica ended the half leading 1 goal to nil.

The second half started with Jamaica on the attack and they should have increased their lead on the one minute mark. In a quick attack, James Thomas weaved his way into the box but slipped as he was about to shoot and messed up the opportunity. As the game progressed The Reggae Boyz seemed to take a defensive posture giving the Ecuadorians more room to attack.

One such attack paid dividends in the 79th minute, as a goal mouth scramble led to the ball falling into the path of Montero who put it past Kerr from close range.   The young Boyz faced a further setback six minutes from the end of the game as a very questionable penalty was awarded to Ecuador by the Brazilian referee. Captain Edmundo Zura made no mistake in converting the penalty, sending it to the left of Kerr.

According to reports in the Jamaica Observer, "Coach Downswell conceded that his charges suffered from mental lapses in the latter quarter of the game" but continued to say that "when you look at what we have achieved here (in Brazil), I think we have done exceptionally well to finish as silver medalists," More in the Forum

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