A profligate Jamaica had to settle for a point in their World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica after playing to a pulsating 1-1 draw at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose on Wednesday night (September 8).

Costa Rica took the lead in the third minute when Bryan Ruiz weighed up a beautiful ball for Jonathan Moya on the back post. Moya spotted Jimmy Marin making a run and used his head to set Marin up for an easy shot over the line.

The Reggae Boyz had to wait until just after the halftime break to find an equalizer.

Left back Kemar Lawrence got into the final third with the ball and plenty of space in the 47th minute and teed up a cross for Shamar Nicholson. Nicholson didn’t hit his header entirely cleanly, but that seemed to flummox goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and Nicholson was off to celebrate his second goal of World Cup qualification.

Nicholson should have scored at least two more goals in the second half but muffed each opportunity to put his side ahead. Junior Flemmings also missed two glorious opportunities, one in each half. His chance in the second half was even more glaring as after being put through on goal by Kemar Lawrence, with just the goalkeeper to beat, tried to cross to Nicholson only to see the pass blocked by an on-rushing defender.

Then, in the 87th minute, Navas was forced into making a pair of interventions, including using his legs to sweep away a ball that Javon East miskicked from inside the six-yard box.

Still, Captain Andre Blake was proud of the performance of the team that put in after being drubbed 3-0 by Panama at the National Stadium in Kingston on Sunday.

“It was a gutsy performance but this is what is required, minimum. We showed that we are capable and we just have to keep going, we have to stay grounded, stay hungry and stay consistent, learn from these three games and keep improving, keep getting better,” said Blake, who pulled off a stunning save to deny Joel Campbel from close range and keep Jamaica in the game.

“We still have quite a number of games, once we kind of hit stride at the right time we can really have a chance.

“I am proud of the boys tonight. We fought and it’s just unfortunate that we didn’t come away with all three points but we are nonetheless happy for the point. A point on the road is always big.”

Blake said going forward, the team has to perform up to the standards that fans and opponents alike have come to expect from the Reggae Boyz.

“We know what we want and we know what it’s going to take and we as a group, we have to just keep going and realize what’s at stake, realize what it’s going to take and whoever is on the pitch understand that there are standards and whoever is playing understand that you are representing Jamaica and once you are called upon, there is a standard and certain level that you have to bring out,” he said.

“Me, as one of the leaders, has to ensure that that standard is maintained. If we can do that we will put ourselves in a good spot and then it will be interesting to see how things turn out at the end of the qualifiers.”

Nicholson, despite having scored the equalizer that gave Jamaica’s its first point of the qualifiers, expressed his disappointment at not finishing more of the several chances he got during the game. However, he said he has already put the game behind him and is looking forward to the future.

“I am disappointed with my game overall. I think I could do much better but I think it’s already behind. We got a point which maybe, in the long run, can help us,” he said. “I think it’s important now that we focus on the next games.”

The Reggae Boyz will hunt for more points in October when they travel to face the USA. Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s first match of the October window is away to Honduras.