Luton defender Amari’i Bell hailed “an amazing feeling” as his first-ever international goal sent Jamaica through to the semi-finals of the Gold Cup in the USA.
The Hatter fired the only goal of the game against Guatemala in Cincinnati after collecting Everton winger Demarai Gray’s cleverly disguised pass.
The strike set-up a last four clash with Mexico in Las Vegas on Wednesday, and after the game Bell said: “It’s an amazing feeling to get to the semi-final. We’ve achieved that goal but we’re not going to stop here. We’re going to keep going and go on to win the tournament.”
Bell is featuring in his second Gold Cup and asked about finally opening his goalscoring account for the Reggae Boyz, Bell said: “It’s amazing. It’s a long time coming. Thankfully, I’ve done it in a game that’s so important. It just means the world to me.
“It was a great pass. He’s (Gary) got the quality to find me as he did, and then it was just about composure in the box and I took the opportunity.”
Bell’s return to Luton for pre-season ahead of the club’s debut campaign in the Premier League will now be delayed a little longer as his Jamaica team try to plot a way to the final past Mexico.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” said the defender, adding: “We played them back in March and it was an even contest. We’ve got the belief and the confidence to go on and win the game.
“It’s going to mean a lot to us, the nation, to everyone. We’ve got the confidence, the belief and we know we can do it.”
