The Unity Cup 2025 kicked off with a bang on Tuesday as Jamaica defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in the first semi-final at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in London, Afrosport reports.
The opening mach of the four-nation Afro-Caribbean tournament served up an all-timer as fans of both teams were exposed to a thrilling encounter.
RICHARD KING CLOSED THE SHOW WITH COMPOSURE
Our Boyz take game
against Trinidad & Tobago in the Unity Cup with the last kick of the game!
Drop a
pic.twitter.com/44T83LQV8q
— Official J.F.F (@jff_football) May 27, 2025
Jamaica looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages, and they broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through Hull City midfielder Kasey Palmer, whose audacious ‘panenka’ penalty wrongfooted the opposing goalkeeper.
The Reggae Boyz held on to the lead into the halftime break, but quickly doubled their tally eight minutes into the restart through forward Rumarn Burrell.
Trinidad and Tobago, however, halved the deficit, with forward Isaiah Leacock finding the back of the net shortly after.
The Soca Warriors, led by legendary Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke, levelled proceedings through captain Kevin Molino in the 69th minute as Jamaica were made to rue their missed chances.
With the scores even and the game heading for a penalty shootout, both sides were in search of a possible winner as tension inside the Brentford ground was palpable.
Jamaica, meanwhile, were rewarded with a penalty for their final push in the dying embers of the game. 23-year-old defender Richard King bravely stepped up, dispatching the spot-kick to lead the Reggae Boyz to victory in the five-goal thriller.
Steve McClaren’s side booked a spot in the final set for Saturday, 31 May, as a showdown between either Nigeria or Ghana is on the cards, with the two African powerhouses slated to face off in the other semi-final on Wednesday.
