Dream goal for Dawkins

By Audley Boyd, Staff Reporter

Fabian Dawkins

BUENOS AIRES:

FABIAN Dawkins had a vision that he would have scored against Argentina, even before he did so to record Jamaica's first at a Youth World Cup in their closing Group A match on Saturday.

"The feeling...it's like I'm dreaming. Is like a dream coming true for me. I was here this morning, me and Kevon (Harris) talking, I was just fantasizing, going on the field, I know I wasn't going to start, going on the field and even scoring a goal against Argentina.

"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 his team's 1-5 loss to hosts Argentina, at Velez Sarsfield's Jose Amalfitani Stadium.

Describing the goal the striker, who replaced Craig Gordon at the 57th minute with his team trailing the three-time champions 0-5, said:

"...When I was going on the field the coach said to me 'go out there and support the forward'. We only had one forward on the field because Omar (Daley) got the red card. 'Go out there, support him and get back'.

"When I got the ball I saw Fabian going across, all I had to do was give him, I went back for the one, two first touch I got by the defender, all I do, just pick my spot, very good goal," added Dawkins, who played a pivotal role in Village United's promotion to next season's National Premier League after winning the 'A' League this season.

The goal was Jamaica's only one at the championship as they had drawn goalless with Egypt in their opening game, before losing 0-1 to Finland in their second contest on Wednesday in the four-nation preliminary segment.

Only the top two from each of the six groups in the 24-nation championship were certain to qualify for the second round and Egypt, by virtue of winning 2-0 over Finland in yesterday's second match of the double-header, claimed the automatic spot with four points. The Egyptians had lost their other match 7-1 against Argentina.

Debutants Finland, who went into the match needing a draw to advance, finished on third points and are still with a a chance of earning a spot in the Round of 16 as one of four best third place qualifiers.

However, they must await the outcome of today's six final round games in Groups D through F.

With one point, Jamaica finished bottom of the group, just like they did in their only other FIFA Youth World Cup in 1999 in New Zealand, when the Under 17s lost three opening round matches after failing to score a goal.

Despite not advancing, Jamaica's captain praised his team-mates for yesterday's performance.

"First I must commend the players for their effort. It didn't go as well as we would've wanted in the first half. At least I can say we learnt a lesson. We learnt what high level football is all about.

"We played badly in the first half, particularly in defence. In the second half everybody stepped up their play. We decided that the only way we could improve is to keep the ball, so we just tried not to kick the ball long and give it away," he said.

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