TORONTO, Canada:

Garath McCleary, scorer of Jamaica's goal in the 1-0 victory over El Salvador in their Group B CONCACAF Gold Cup football match at BMO Field, has hailed the efforts of the team, which has now advanced to the quarter-final round of the tournament.

Yesterday's victory gave the Reggae Boyz top spot in the group on seven points and they will move on to play Haiti, which finished second in Group A, in the quarter-final in Baltimore on Saturday.

"We were massive underdogs coming into this tournament," McCleary said.

"To come out on top is fantastic."

McCleary extended his rich form with a 72-minute goal that took his tally to two in the tournament. He had netted the opener in the 2-2 draw against Costa Rica in Los Angeles.

He also set up the winner in last Saturday's 1-0 win over Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, when Rodolph Austin scored.

This time, he was on hand to make a simple tap-in after El Salvador goalkeeper Derby Carillo spilled a shot from Joel (Jobi) McIntosh.

The latter was set up by striker Darren Mattocks, who shook off a defender on a counter-attack and rolled the ball to the top of the penalty box.

"I'm very, very happy about my team, I trust my players," Jamaica head coach Winfried Schäfer said.

"Everybody fight together, all for one and I'm very happy, very proud of my players."

Second yellow card

Jamaica finished the game with 10 players after striker Darren Mattocks was shown a second yellow card at the 80th minute.

Like many others against the Jamaica team, it appeared a dubious decision, with the 24-year-old striker blocking an attempted pass with the outside of his left boot.

"I don't want to talk about the referee," Schäfer commented.

However, he said the Jamaica team will be seeking to have cards overturned.

"We've to talk, we've 24 hours to protest," said Schäfer.

The Reggae Boyz were forced to make two early substitutions through injury as central defender Jermaine Taylor had to leave the game at the seventh minute with what appeared a thigh injury; and goalkeeper Dwayne Miller was forced off when he got hit in the head as he advanced and took the ball just ahead of the onrushing Pabo Punyed.

"Miller is in hospital and I hope all the best for him," a concerned Schäfer said. "That is more important."

The goalkeeper was replaced by Ryan Thompson at the 22nd minute and central defender Jermaine Taylor was replaced by Michael Hector at the seventh.

"We've four good goalkeepers," the head coach noted of Thompson, who made some good saves, especially a big-time double save at the 28th minute when he first dived to keep out Punyed's 25-yard drive, then got up instantaneously and used his legs to block a follow-up off the rebound by Andres Flores.

At that point, the game was scoreless.

"Jamaica is doing a great job in developing a strong team," said El Salvador's coach, Alberto Costa.

"We played a great game against a rival that may go very far in this tournament. We were in a tough group," added Costa.