TORONTO: Jamaica scored a late winning goal while Costa Rica needed only a scoreless draw as both teams advanced from Group ‘B’ to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday.

Jamaica’s Garath McCleary tapped in a rebound in the 72nd minute to help the Reggae Boyz beat El Salvador 1-0 and clinch the group with seven points.

McCleary’s second goal of the tournament set up a quarter-final clash against Haiti. Jobi McAnuff’s shot from distance forced a diving save by Derby Carrillo, but McCleary was left unmarked in front of goal for an easy finish in sweltering conditions at Toronto’s BMO Field.

The Caribbean side, which had arrived at the Gold Cup after a winless performance as a guest team at the Copa America, created the better chances throughout an even encounter.

El Salvador could have clinched a berth to the quarter-finals with a win but could not score.

The Jamaicans prevailed despite needing three goal keepers and lost Darren Mattocks to a second yellow card in the 81st minute.

Starting goalkeeper Jermaine Taylor was injured in the opening minutes, while replacement Dwayne Miller went down in the 23rd minute after taking a hit in the head.

In the late match, Canada continued their offensive struggles in front of a partisan crowd in Toronto.

Canada had a great chance to end that drought in the 24th minute when Dejan Jakovic’s throw-in set up an attempt by Marcus Haber that was saved.

Canada also had a goal disallowed in the 68th minute after Haber was whistled for an offside on a free kick.

Bryan Ruiz was the hero for Costa Rica, producing a goal-line clearance from Andre Hainault in the closing minutes to deny Canada a famous win.

The Canadians failed to score in their three games at the tournament, allowing Costa Rica to advance to the quarter-finals with just three points.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2015

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