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Brown double hands Boyz 3-0 shutout against Guatemala
June 11, 2025
Warner Brown continued his impressive goalscoring form for the Reggae Boyz, netting a brace as Jamaica defeated Guatemala 3-0 in the top-of-the-table Group E second-round Concacaf World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium yesterday.
Brown netted in the 37th and 73rd minutes, to add to Jon Russell's 26th minute header.
It was Brown's fourth goal in four matches for the Reggae Boyz and coach Steven McClaren says it's important to have a number nine with Brown's qualities.
"We needed energy from our number nine. Warner came up (big) the last two games and this one especially, and shows that you need a nine to be able to press.
"What I like about Warner is whenever the ball is in the box, he is in the box. He's in the middle of the goal, so he is always a threat," McClaren stated.
Jamaica created numerous opportunities throughout the first half, with Brown coming close on a few occasions. There were also chances for Russell and Leon Bailey.
Russell would give the Boyz a well-deserved lead, when he rose above the Guatemala defence to head home a cross from Bailey.
The Boyz pushed their opponents further on the backfoot, and 11 minutes later Bailey got a glorious chance to score, when the Jamaica team was awarded a penalty, after Demarai Gray was fouled in the box.
Bailey's penalty kick was saved by the Guatemalan keeper.
However, Brown spared his blushes by ramming home the rebound from six yards, to double Jamaica's lead.
The Reggae Boyz continued to have the better of their opponents after the break, with Cephas creating chances for Brown and Richard King, whose volley was saved by the goalie.
Brown also had a glorious chance after he stole possession just outside the box, but he could not beat the alert goalie.
Nevertheless, the striker would get his second and Jamaica's third in the 73rd minute, turning home a corner at the near post.
"It was a perfect result for us," McClaren continued. "Three goals, a clean sheet, 60 per cent possession, 18 shots, nine on target. We looked a threat," he assessed.
"We wanted to win the game because we want to stay in Pot One for the draw, which was important. We are delighted to finish top. And certain individuals came to the fore. And now that's the standard that we want every game. So it was highly satisfactory," he said.
He added that it was also good to get a win inside the National Stadium, after three matches without a goal.
"We had to win here. We had to show the Jamaican crowd that we could win here. We want to make the start of a fortress," he said.
