Argentina knock out Young Boyz Audley Boyd, staff reporter
BUENOS AIRES: FABIAN Dawkins scored Jamaica's first goal in a youth World Cup final, but it could not prevent a 5-1 demolition by hosts Argentina, which ended the Caribbean nation's campaign at the 24-nation Under-20. In their first and only other appearance at a Youth World Cup in New Zealand in 1999, the Under-17s failed to score while losing all three games. A second-half substitute, Dawkins picked up a pass in midfield, dribbled forward and laid off a pass to striker Fabian Blake, a striker himself. Dawkins went for the return pass, took it expertly between two defenders with a beautiful first touch and fired it past goalie Lux German to score at the near post in the 78th minute. "It's like I'm dreaming. It's like a dream coming through for me. I feel very good. Family, friends in Jamaica I did it for you, even though we didn't win, it was good," said an elated Dawkins after the game played at Velez Sarsfield's Jose Amalfitani Stadium. Jamaica finished the game with 10 players after central midfielder Omar Daley received a second bookable offence, his second within three minutes, during injury time of the first half. The goal coloured a somewhat disappointing end for the Jamaicans who will make their way home tonight after finishing bottom in Group A with a point after drawing goalless with Egypt in their first game, and losing 1-0 to Finland on Wednesday in the contest which really decided their fate. Any hope of an upset was blasted away within the first quarter hour when Jamaica conceded three goals. "I think in the first 15 minutes we didn't play all that well and it cost us the game." said Wendell Downswell, the team's coach. Fabricio Coloccini (third), Javier Saviola (seventh, 86th penalty) and Esteban Herrera (14th, 38th) were the scorers for Argentina which ended group winners with maximum nine points. They scored 13 goals and conceded two. Egypt beat Finland 2-1 to finish second and advance to the second round on four points, while Finland, who ended on three, can still advance to the next round as one of four best third-place teams. That, however, is dependent on the outcome of today's six final opening round games in Groups D through F. Speaking through an interpreter, Jose Pekerman, Argentina's coach, said: "It was a little bit of disillusion what Jamaica showed in this match, especially in the first 15-20 minutes when they received three goals. It was very easy for Argentina to score these three goals and then the whole match was decided. "It's obvious that Jamaica does not have the experience as other teams and nations in this Under-20 level as Argentina, as Brazil, as Spain. It is obvious that they made some mistakes, mistakes that other teams do not commit and a team like Argentina will profit from these mistakes and score. That is what happened exactly. "I'm very happy with the performance of this team (Argentina), but a little bit sad because a team like Jamaica, which has a lot of support among the Argentinian fans have to leave now" said Pekerman.
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