Bolivia and Jamaica on Thursday moved to within one win of returning to the FIFA World Cup after decades-long absences after securing opening victories in the intercontinental playoff tournament in Mexico.
Bolivia, chasing their first World Cup appearance since the 1994 finals in the US, came from behind to defeat Suriname 2-1 in Monterrey.
The South Americans’ victory sends them into a winner-takes-all playoff against Iraq on Tuesday next week, with the victors advancing to a World Cup group of death alongside France, Norway and Senegal.
Photo: AFP
Jamaica, who are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time in history following a lone appearance at the 1998 finals in France, defeated New Caledonia 1-0 in the other game in Guadalajara.
The Reggae Boyz are to play the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday next week for the right to a berth in World Cup Group K alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
Jamaica head into their clash knowing that they would need an improved performance to punch their ticket to the World Cup after a labored win over New Caledonia, the tiny French territory in the South Pacific.
Despite dominating possession and territory for long periods at the Estadio Akron near Guadalajara, Jamaica struggled to create clear-cut chances.
The only goal of a drab encounter came when Wrexham forward Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri bundled in a rebound after New Caledonia goalkeeper Rocky Nyikeine could only parry a Ronaldo Webster free-kick.
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