<p style="text-align: justify">A second-half goal from Reading winger Garath McCleary fired Jamaica into the quarter-finals of the Gold Cup as group winners here Tuesday with a 1-0 win over El Salvador.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">McCleary pounced on a shot from Jobi McAnuff to bag his second goal of the tournament and ensure that the Reggae Boyz topped Group B to set up a quarter-final on Saturday against Haiti.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The 28-year-old's 72nd-minute winner was no less than Jamaica deserved in sweltering conditions at Toronto's BMO Field.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The Caribbean side, which had arrived at the Gold Cup after a winless performance as a guest team at the Copa America, created the better chances throughout an even encounter.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Jamaica were also indebted to a heroic performance between the posts by substitute goalkeeper Ryan Thompson, who replaced Dwayne Miller after 22 minutes.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify">Thompson, who plays in the United Soccer League -- the third tier of football in the United States, made several key blocks to keep El Salvador at bay during the second half.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Jamaica, which had already been assured of a place in the last eight after a draw with Costa Rica and a win over Canada, were forced to endure a nervy finish when Darren Mattocks was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But despite pressure from El Salvador, Jamaica, whose squad includes several players from the lower reaches of English football, held firm.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Elsewhere Tuesday, Canada's involvement in the competition came to an end as they were held to a 0-0 draw by World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The Canadians needed a victory against Los Ticos to vault into second place and reach the last eight.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">However, despite a furious late onslaught, the Canadians were unable to breach some desperate Costa Rica defending and were eliminated.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Bryan Ruiz was the hero for Costa Rica, producing a goal-line clearance from Andre Hainault in the closing minutes to deny Canada a famous win.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Costa Rica qualified for the quarter-finals as runners-up and will now face the second place team from Group C -- most likely Mexico or Trinidad & Tobago -- in the last eight.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>