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What had been a testy and physical clash up to
halftime exploded into life after Usme's breakthrough, with both
teams attacking furiously.
Jamaica's 'Reggae Girlz' had chances to level the match but
bowed out swinging after reaching the knockout phase for the
first time in their second World Cup.
Having not conceded a goal all tournament, Jamaica stifled the
Colombians early, often leaving their players splayed on the
turf with heavy tackles.
Colombia wunderkind Linda Caicedo was kept quiet on the left
flank, and the South Americans' first decent scoring chance had
to wait until a corner in the 38th minute.
It was wasted, though, with Jorelyn Carabali sending a wild
volley from the edge of the area sailing over the bar.
Referee Kate Jacewicz lost patience with the Jamaicans'
physicality, handing out two yellow cards in five minutes to
defender Chantelle Swaby and midfielder Drew Spence near
halftime.
It was Colombia's new girl Ana Maria Guzman breaking the game
open after the break, the 18-year-old full back finding Usme in
space on the right with a long cross.
Usme took the ball past Jamaica defender Deneisha Blackwood and
fired a low, left-foot strike inside the far post.
Jamaica had a golden chance to level three minutes later when
Blackwood's corner picked out Jody Brown in front of goal but
the midfielder's header pinged off the base of the left post.
Jamaica pushed forward in desperation as regulation time
dwindled.
Drew Spence rose to meet a Tiffany Cameron cross but thumped her
header just wide of the left post in the 82nd minute, allowing
Colombia to hold firm to the finish.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Christian
Radnedge)
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