Town's on-loan Hull midfielder has his World Cup dreams ended by ex-Luton trialist

Luton’s on-loan Hull City midfielder Kasey Palmer suffered World Cup heartache as Jamaica lost their play-off final 1-0 against DR Congo on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old was in from the start for the contest played at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, winning his 23rd cap for his country, who had beaten New Caledonia a few days earlier to give themselves a chance of reaching the tournament for the first time since 1998, almost 30 years ago. Ranked 19 places below their opponents, it was Congo who had the better of the early chances, with Cedric Bakambu seeing his goal ruled out for offside after five minutes.

Meschack Elia’s near post attempt from a tight angle was thwarted by goalkeeper Andre Blake and the post, as the Reggae Boyz began to grow into the contest, Palmer’s goal-bound effort from the edge of the area blocked by Chancel Mbema on the half hour. Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey flashed wide from distance, while in the second half, he also put a diving header narrowly wide, as Blake then saved well from Bakambu's curler.

Bakambu had the ball in the net again with five minutes to go, but substitute Theo Bongonda had strayed beyond the last man before laying on the assist as extra time was needed to decide the encounter, both Palmer and ex-Luton defender Amari’i Bell making way as part of a double change. The Congolese largely controlled the following 30 minutes, Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe blazing over with the goal gaping after a counter attack.

Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe, who had a trial spell with the Hatters when Rob Edwards was in charge back in August 2023, then scored the only goal of the game on 100 minutes as Jamaica couldn’t find an equaliser, as their dreams of heading to the tournament held in a few months’ time were dashed. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer, an emotional captain Blake said afterwards: “We’re very sorry we weren’t able to deliver.

"There’s not much I can say. I thought we gave them a tough game, but that’s football. Congrats to my boys, we fought really hard, but we just came up short. I’m going to tell them to keep their heads up, it’s a very tough time, but I’m going to have to tell them to stay positive, keep their heads up and hopefully we can build on this and look forward to the next one.”

Interim head coach Rudolph Speid, who took over from former England manager Steve McClaren in December, unable to mastermind the result, as the Leopards went through to join Group K and face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan, added: “All of us, players and coaching, tried our best. We got a few opportunities but it wasn’t to be. But we tried our best.”