The Reggae Boyz win one ? finally

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

JAMAICA'S REGGAE Boyz finally got the monkey off their backs with a 2-0 win over Malaysia at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium yesterday in the third match of their four-game friendly tour of Asia.

Having scored the only goal of the tour so far in Jamaica's 2-1 loss to Indonesia, Portmore United's Wolry Wolfe continued to shine for the Boyz up front when he scored a quick second goal for the team comprising local-based players.

Defender Christopher Harvey had given the Jamaicans the lead in the 44th minute when he rose to head home from a well-weighted cross from the left flank by midfielder Demar Phillips.

A minute later, Wolfe, who is accustomed to a role in attacking midfield for local outfit Portmore, was on hand to take advantage of poorly attempted clearance in front of the Malaysian goal. The win was not only the first international friendly victory registered under new coach Velibor Milutinovic, but also snapped a three-game losing streak and a six game winless streak for the Boyz.

Milutinovic made a couple of changes to the squad which had lost the first two games of the tourahead of yesterday's fixture.

Harbour View custodian Dwayne Miller, central midfielder Richard Edwards and Mario Harrison of Reno were all given a chance to get their feet wet.

RESULTS

Milutinovic has continued to insist that results are not the most important thing for the team right now. However, Jamaica will have little chance to savour their first taste of victory as they will now face three-time World Cup qualifiers Iran on Monday in what should be the sternest test of the tour.

Iran have won their past three games heading into Monday's friendly and will be using the game as a warm-up for the Asia Cup. The loss was a second straight for the Malaysian team ranked 149th, as they also prepare to take part in the Asia Cup.

The team previously went down 3-1 to the United Arab Emirates last week. Malaysia have been placed in Group C and will open their campaign against China on July 10. They will also face Iran and Uzbekistan in the group stages.