Reggae Boyz lose their beat

Those who have adopted Jamaica's cause will possibly fully appreciate this morning that the World Cup finals is no place for romance or affairs of the heart. Last night the Reggae Boyz were not disgraced by any means but they were well beaten by a much better side.

Even the most detached of cynics would find it difficult not to warm to the achievements of Jamaica's Brazilian coach Rene Simoes. Inside three years he has led Jamaica's free-spirited footballers out of the wilderness and shepherded them - not without difficulty, it must be said - into a place among the world's elite.

He's smart, too. Having isolated a need for players of discipline to augment the natural Caribbean player, he travelled the globe in search of those who fulfilled FIFA's birthright criteria.

Last night, as history was made, Jamaica's starting line-up included five men culled from either the English Premiership or first division. Croatia could muster only two.

The Croatians were also marking out fresh territory, a first ever World Cup final appearance for a nation which has embraced sport, particularly football, with understandable relish in what are troubled times. Croatia's strength is in their marvellous sense of organisation and it did seem likely to carry them far against opponents who considered their defensive duties reluctantly.

And yet, a spurned opportunity by Igor Stimac apart, the opening quarter came and went without the relentless Croatian pressure which even Jamaica must have anticipated and feared.

Buoyed by the timidity of those coming towards them, Jamaica chanced their arm, dominating for five glorious first-half minutes, a memorable period of play which was climaxed by a Robbie Earle header which Dario Simic did well to clear off the line.

And then, 27 minutes in, the great party fell silent as Croatia swept through one of the countless holes in the Jamaica rearguard to draw first blood.

Having collected Robert Prosinecki's corner on the by-line, Simic dragged the ball back into the heart of the penalty area. Igor Stimac's ferocious drive struck the face of the crossbar and fell directly into the path of Mario Stanic who scored a scruffy goal.

The opening half was living on borrowed time before the festivities began again. A Jamaican goal; even they seemed surprised. A beauty it was, top-drawer stuff.

Ricardo Gardener's cross from the left was sublime, drifting over Stimac and straight on to Earle's forehead. The ball flew home and the noise was deafening.

Croatia steadied themselves, though. Their second goal, seven minutes after the interval, was extremely fortunate but was always going to come. Prosinecki's cross from the left drifted over the goalkeeper Warren Barrett and it fell just inside the far post, grazing the arm of Onandi Lowe as it did so.

Jamaica were tiring and were undone for a third time after 69 minutes when Davor Suker's poorly hit shot struck Gardiner before drifting over the line.