Not even the rain drove off the 13,000-plus crowd at the Mecca of South Florida Football as a rejuvenated Peru began the second step of the Sergio Markarían era. But it was Jamaica under legendary World Cup player Theodore Whitmore that showed more will than skill against the Incas.
But in the end it was a stroke of genius that helped Peru win 2-1 against Jamaica at Lockhart Stadium.
Things did not start out well for the Reggae Boyz after a Juan Vargas cross into the box was slammed into the back of the net by midfielder Demar Phillips in the fourth minute.
But Jamaica persisted and continued pressuring. Although they were not sharp technically they recurred to their eternal option- speed. That was the one feature that gave the Pruvians trouble, but were not able to maintian it and were able to capitalize in the 19th minute courtesy of Colorado Rapids hitman Omar Cummings. Almería defender Santiago Acasiete lost the ball in his defensive third and Cummings was not forgiving and slammed a shot from about 25 meters out to beat goalkeeper Salomón Libman.
Speed also neutralized the Peruvians as they weren't able to properly take advantage of the spaces that were available to them. Jamaica worked harder to the ball and neutralize the Inca's offensive initiative. In the second half two chance by Juan Vargas and Jesús Rabanal but went inches of Dwayne Miller.
What was more glaringly obvious was the lack of play in association with Schalke 04 man Jefferson Farfán. In the first half, Farfán played towards the let and had absolutely no one to connect with. The second half he moved towards the right and had a bit more ability and linking up with Vargas.
Peru's big mistake was their inability to change. After losing so many option on goal and running out of ideas, they fell right into Jamaica's hands by going to the long ball into the box.
But in this game, all it takes is one brilliant sequence to change the look of a game. In the 83rd minute Juan Carlos Fernández came on for Hernán Rengifo and it would take two minutes for him to make the difference. Jesús Rabanal found Vargas out wide and "El Loco" fed "Zlatan" for the eventual game-winning goal.
Peru remain unbeaten in the Sergio Markarián era having beaten Canada 2-1 north of the border. THey will now await for two new rivals to face for the October FIFA date as they prepare for the upcoming Copa América. Jamaica in the meantime will do the same as they prepare to qualify for the Gold Cup next year.
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