Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz emerged victorious in the first match of their two-game friendly international series against Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago, securing a 1-0 win at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Thursday.

The match was decided by an 80th-minute goal from Sue-Lae McCalla, giving the hosts their first victory over the visitors on Jamaican soil since 2014.

McCalla, earning his 4th international cap, marked his return to the national team with a memorable strike that broke the deadlock late in the match. This was also McCalla’s first appearance since March 2024, when he played against Trinidad and Tobago in a previous encounter.

The Reggae Boyz were captained by Jamahli Waite, the El Paso Locomotive FC goalkeeper, who made his first start for Jamaica since the 2024 Copa America. The match saw an exciting mix of youth and experience, with four debutantes in the starting line-up — Gadail Irving, Jalmaro Calvin, Kimoni Bailey, and Warner Brown. In total, eight players made their international debuts under head coach Steve McClaren, including Christopher Ainsworth, Robino Gordon, Jeovanni Laing, and Kimani Arbouine.

With the win secured, the Reggae Boyz will now turn their attention to the second and final match of the series, which is set to take place at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday.