Sheffield Wednesday striker takes a step closer to the World Cup with former Owl the hero
Jamal Lowe and Jamaica took a big step towards World Cup qualification in the early hours of Friday morning, and a former Sheffield Wednesday man was the hero on the night.
Lowe is one of eight Wednesday players currently dotted around the world with their various national teams, and he had a better time of things than some of his teammates in the first round of fixtures during the current international period.
Thursday night saw Pierce Charles and Northern Ireland suffer heartbreak at the hands of Italy as their hopes of reaching the summer’s showpiece event were crushed, while Gabriel Otegbayo wasn’t in the squad for the Republic of Ireland’s U21s as they drew 1-1 with Moldova in a European Under-21 Championship Qualifying clash.
There was joy for the Owls attacker, however, as the Reggae Boyz beat New Caledonia 1-0 to secure their place in the play-off final against the Democratic Republic of Congo next week, with the winner qualifying for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
It was ex-Owl, Bailey Cadamarteri, who was the difference-maker on the night as he scored the only goal of the game, and he was actually the player that Lowe replaced as he came on for the final 10 minutes or so of normal time. The 31-year-old played his part as victory was sealed, and will be hoping for more minutes on Tuesday night in Zapopan.
Jamaica face the DRC at 10pm UK time as the two sides battle it out at Akron Stadium, and Wednesdayites will no doubt be rooting for their number nine should he get the chance to make his mark in that clash over in Mexico. Manager, Rudolph Speid, has some decisions to make.