Ricardo Fuller

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz hit a snag in their preparation for the start of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers which kicks off against the Bahamas in four days time, when they went down 1-2 to 143rd ranked Grenada at the National Stadium in St George's, Grenada yesterday.

Generally expected to come away with at least a win from the fixture against the tiny island, the Boyz took an early lead through an 18th minute header by striker Ricardo Fuller, finishing off a corner kick taken by Evan Taylor.

However, they were burnt in a peppery second half performance from the Spice Boys, which saw Sharlie Joseph, who plies his trade for the United States' Major League Soccer (MLS) team New England Revolution, score in the 68th minute and Jason Roberts of English Premier League team Blackburn Rovers find the net again nine minutes later.

Joseph and Roberts were two of only four overseas-based players in the Grenada team, while a full strength Jamaica carried 16 overseas-based players into the encounter.

Terrible passing

"We didn't control the game, our passing was terrible, our focus was terrible and personally I am ashamed of what we did here today," said technical director Rene Simoes.

"We just played badly for the entire game today," he added.

"However, this is a learning process for the team, it never stops so today was a good lesson in building team character," Simoes said.

"It was a tough loss for us and nobody likes to lose, but we have to use what we have learnt and be motivated for Sunday's game," he said.

Jamaica will face The Bahamas in a two-leg World Cup qualification, with the first game being played at the National Stadium on Sunday. They will play the second leg of the fixture at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium, while Grenada will tackle Costa Rica on Saturday.