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| Sunday, June 17, 2001 01:45 EST |
Razov had best opportunity for U.S.
[Associated Press]
KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Jamaica took its home unbeaten streak to 51 when the Reggae Boyz drew 0-0 with the United States in a CONCACAF region World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
The United States remains atop of the six-team group with 10 points from four games, ahead of Costa Rica on seven after the Ticos' shock 2-1 win at Mexico earlier in the day. Jamaica has five points.
While it wasn't a victory, the result gave the United States another point on
the road to the tournament in Japan and South Korea.
"We have one foot in the door. We have to get the rest of the
door open," U.S. defender Jeff Agoos said. The United States will get a chance to add to its group lead when it hosts Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday at Foxboro, Mass. Hoduras beat T&T 4-2 on Saturday.
In Kingston, both teams had chances to score late in the proceedings.
In the 89th minute, a Jovan Kirovski free kick was turned on by Claudio Reyna, only to be deflected by goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
Moments later, a shot from by Reyna went narrowly wide from 20 meters.
"It's a great result," said Reyna, the U.S. captain. "We're
sitting pretty good right now."
Jamaica had nearly grabbed a winner at 85 minutes when Ricardo Fuller was denied by Kasey Keller.
Earlier, the home side had a goal disallowed in the 22nd minute when Tyronne Marshall was judged offside as he headed a cross by Theodore Whitmore in from 10 meters.
"We played well....we did everything , we got the chances to score but we just could not," said Jamaica's disappointed technical director Clovis de Oliviera.
"This result is not what we wanted, but it is better than a loss. We just have to keep working because we have a clear chance to qualify for the World Cup," de Oliviera added.
United States coach Bruce Arena was disappointed not to chalk up a fourth consecutive win, but had no complaints about the point.
"We wanted a win. It would be nice to have won, but that did not happen. A point away is very positive," he said. "The team played well. Jamaica is a tough team and a lot stronger at home and they played well."
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