Mexico Scores a 2-1 Victory Over Jamaica
Mexico got its World Cup ’98 qualifying campaign back on track Wednesday night when it defeated Jamaica, 2-1, in front of more than 100,000 fans at Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.
The victory, on goals by Luis Roberto Alves Zague during injury time in the first half and Carlos Hermosillo off a corner kick in the 53rd minute, improved Mexico’s record to 2-1.
The team, coached by former U.S. national team coach Bora Milutinovic, had beaten St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the road in its first qualifying game, then lost away to Honduras.
Jamaica, which beat Honduras and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the four-nation qualifying group, also is 2-1. The top two teams advance to the next round.
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In Lima, Peru, the United States, fielding a below-strength team because of a dispute between the national team players and the U.S. Soccer Federation over bonus money, was beaten, 4-1, by Peru.
The exhibition game had been intended to serve as a final warm-up for the U.S. team before its World Cup ’98 qualifying match Nov. 3 at RFK Stadium in Washington against Guatemala.
Roberto Palacios gave Peru the lead in the 33rd minute, but the Americans tied it on a goal by U.S. Olympic team player Dario Brose one minute before halftime.
Peru pulled away in the second half before a crowd of 5,000 at the National Stadium.
It changed tactics in the second 45 minutes, attacking down the wings, and was rewarded with goals by Percy Olivares, Paolo Maldonado and Noberto Solano scored within a 16-minute span.
