GIles Barnes of Jamaica scored the lone goal eight minutes in against Haiti. That goal was enough to send The Reggae Boys through to the semifinals against the United States.
Jamaica makes most of early possession
In the first few minutes of the game, both Haiti and Jamaica had some nice attacking spells, but it was Jamaica who took advantage of that attacking chance.
A ball was sent in over the top of the Haitian defense which Adrian Mariappa got a touch to. He passsed it to Barnes, whose first touch let him down initially, but took it away from the defender to beat the keeper at his near post.
Haiti dominates for the rest of the half
In the first few minutes after the goal, Jamaica looked vulnerable at the back as Haiti kept pushing for the equalizer. They would get a few chances at first but nothing was made. It was about past 20 minutes when Thompson was called into action.
Guerrier broke past the defense and laid it off to Maurice to force a save. Just a minute later, Haiti were unlucky to level things up as Duckens Nazon had a go from about 25 yards out but hit the post. He was extremely unlucky there as the keeper was well beat.
After the game stagnated for a bit, Jamaica had a chance with some beautiful one-two passing between McAnuff and Dawkins but it was to no avail. Halftime score was 1-0 to Jamaica.
More Haitian domination but still no goal
Right after halftime, Haiti picked up right where they left off and were trying to push on for a goal. They were settling for long shots as well as getting corners but still nothing.
Jamaica nearly struck for a second as Placide sent a goal kick straight to Austin. Austin went straight for the goal and took a shot, but Placide made the save before Austin sent the rebound well over.
It was more of the same for Haiti after that. They kept possession and taking long shots and getting corners, but Thompson was not getting challenged. They really needed to make smarter decisions with their shooting since Jamaica nearly struck for a second again off of a Lawrence free kick.
Late flurry of chances for Haiti but Jamaica holds on
The final 15 minutes of the game was Haiti's last chances to get that equalizer. It seemed inevitable at one point that they would get it. Corner, after corner, after corner but still nothing. Eight corners for them in those final minutes.
Thompson was fantastic in dealing with all the corners and crosses making intelligent decisions on when to come out and catch or punch. In the first minute of stoppage time, a ball was crossed in from the right side, and Belfort got his head to it but just sent it inches wide! That was their best chance for the equalizer but that was it.
Jamaica held on for a 1-0 victory despite being dominated for well over the final 80 minutes of the game in terms of chances. Haiti should be disappointed to have not found an equalizer but still put in a fantastic effort in the game.