Wednesday, September 11, 2024

21 THE STAR SPORTS • Wednesday, September 11, 2024 @JamaicaStar www.facebook.com/JamaicaStar • www.jamaica-star.com BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (AP): J ames Rodríguez scored from the penalty spot and had an assist to help Colombia edge defending champions Argentina 2-1 yesterday in a South American World Cup qualifier. Yerson Mosquera opened the scoring in the 25th minute but Argentina equalised in the 48th when Nico Gonzalez capitalised on a defensive blunder from the Colombians. Rodríguez’ 60th- minute penalty, which was awarded after a video review, secured the win at the Metropolitano Stadium. “It is a great win against an Argentina team that has won it all,” Rodríguez said. “The weather was tough, it was so hot, but we had an excellent match. It is a fair win.” World Cup champions Argentina lifted the Copa America trophy after a 1-0 overtime victory over Colombia in July. Colombia, who have not triumphed over Argentina since 2019, are still unbeaten in South American World Cup qualifying. Argentina lead the round- robin competition with 18 points after eight matches, two points clear of Colombia. Uruguay are in third position with 15 points, followed by Ecuador with 14. The top six teams in South American qualifying will get automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup. Colombia once again had the 33-year-old Rodríguez to thank after he gave a perfect cross for Mosquera to nod in and opening the scoring. That equalised Carlos Valderrama’s record of 11 assists in South American World Cup qualifying. A mistake by Rodríguez allowed Argentina to equalise, with Nico González stealing the ball from him and shooting past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. But Rodríguez made amends when he beat Dibu Martínez, a prolific penalty stopper, and equalised Falcao García’s mark of 13 goals in World Cup qualifying. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the heat had an impact on the match. “The heat is the same for both, but it is evident that there were not good conditions for us to see a spectacle,” the coach said. Colombia clip Argentina GREGORY BRYCE Staff Reporter A RNETT GARDENS, last year’s third-place finishers in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL), are aiming to better their performance this time around as the Kingston- based club harbours title- winning aspirations. Following their success in the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Shield competition last month, Arnett will be hoping they can go all the way in the JPL and the Concacaf Caribbean Cup this season. However, head coach Xavier Gilbert understands it will not be an easy task for the Junglists as they face a busy schedule. He said the team’s depth and players’ commitment will play a vital role if Arnett are to achieve their objectives. “Our plan is to go better than what we did last year. We made it to the semi-finals last year so our plan is to be in the finals this time and then we’ll take it from there so that is our objective to ensure we give a good account of ourselves,” he explained. “It is massive for us to find the right balance in terms of the workload for the players and having rotations to make sure we don’t have burnouts. We have to try to be consistent throughout and play well and do well.” Arnett did not have the best start in their Caribbean Cup campaign so far having lost their opening game 2-1 to Mount Pleasant Football Academy. Gilbert said the focus now is to ensure they can return to winning ways this weekend in the JPL and bring a positive form when they travel to Trinidad & Tobago to face Police FC in their second game of the Caribbean Cup. “It is important that we start well and pick up the momentum the following week in Trinidad,” he said. “It is massive for us and we’re mindful of the situation and we want to get back to winning ways and we’re prepping as best as possible to ensure that we achieve that feat.” Gilbert said while Arnett have done their work on the training pitch to prepare themselves for the difficult season ahead, the real test will be in competitive games against their opponents. He said as the season continues, Arnett will be forced to adapt and change to match each opponent they face on a weekly basis. “The real tests are the games and that’s when you know if your plans really work and we are open to tweaking plans as we go along and take it game by game and asses every single week as we go along. “Our preseason was early and we had competitive games that we had to win. It has been good so far and we’re managing as best as possible and we want to keep it that way,” he added. LEADING FROM THE FRONT Gilbert will be relying on Arnett Gardens captain Fabian Reid who has promised a stellar season in front of goal for the Junglists. Reid said Arnett will be aiming to ensure the players peak at the right time to achieve their goals of walking away with the JPL and Caribbean Cup titles. “It is good for the season that we are starting fresh and have the frame of mind to come out and put in the work. We don’t want to peak too early to be honest because we want to win the Caribbean Cup and we want win the Premier League too. We’re on a high now so we have to maintain it same way.” Arnett Gardens want to win it all Colombia’s James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring a penalty against Argentina during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match in Barranquilla, Colombia yesterday. AP Head coach Xavier Gilbert. F ile Arnett Gardens captain Fabian Reid. F ile