Jamaica, Cuba draw in Olympic qualifier

HAVANA: Jamaica gave up a late goal and had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Cuba in their opening round first-leg Olympic qualifying football tie on Sunday afternoon.

A 90th-minute strike by Henry Munox saved the Cubans from defeat after Desmond Breakenridge had given the visitors a vital lead with 16 minutes remaining. The return match will be played in Jamaica on October 12. The Jamaicans celebrated what could have been a winning goal when Breakenridge collected a through pass from midfield to slot past the advancing Cuban goalkeeper. But eight minutes later they were reduced to 10 players following the ejection of Garfield Reid and the home side snatched the equaliser in the last minute when goalkeeper, Allien Whittaker, fumbled a shot from a corner and Munox capitalised by heading home.