Jamaica forward Shamar Nicholson (11) battles for the ball with Curacao defender Cuco Martina (2) and defender Jurien Gaari (13) in the first half during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Bank of California Stadium in Los Angeles. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.)
LOS ANGELES - Jamaica advanced to the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup with a 1-1 draw against Curacao in their final Group C match in Los Angeles on Thursday. In the late game Honduras defeated El Salvador 4-0, whch meant Jamica remained group leader and Curacao also qualified as second on goal difference.
Shamar Nicholson scored for Jamaica in the 14th minute with quick reflexes but could have had a hat-trick by then, having already missed a point-blank header and sent a shot crashing against the post.
Jamaica squandered several other chances, while Jarchinio Antonia missed a great opportunity for Curacao late in the first half when he dragged a shot wide.
Just when it seemed Jamaica would not pay for their profligacy, Curacao equalised in the 93rd minute when defender Jurien Gaari smashed a 25-yard strike into the corner.
Curacao almost completed a smash-and-grab victory when substitute Elson Hooi missed a long-range shot by millimetres with virtually the last kick of the match.
The result kept Curacao's hopes of a quarter-final berth alive pending the El Salvador-Honduras game that tuend out in ther favour. Jamaica and Curacao now face either the US or Panama on Synday.
Shamar Nicholson scored for Jamaica in the 14th minute with quick reflexes but could have had a hat-trick by then, having already missed a point-blank header and sent a shot crashing against the post.
Jamaica squandered several other chances, while Jarchinio Antonia missed a great opportunity for Curacao late in the first half when he dragged a shot wide.
Just when it seemed Jamaica would not pay for their profligacy, Curacao equalised in the 93rd minute when defender Jurien Gaari smashed a 25-yard strike into the corner.
Curacao almost completed a smash-and-grab victory when substitute Elson Hooi missed a long-range shot by millimetres with virtually the last kick of the match.
The result kept Curacao's hopes of a quarter-final berth alive pending the El Salvador-Honduras game that tuend out in ther favour. Jamaica and Curacao now face either the US or Panama on Synday.
