Young Reggae Boyz a game away from World Cup

After playing to a 2-2 draw with Canada in the group stage of the Concacaf Under-20 Championship, Jamaica’s young Reggae Boyz will again face the North Americans in today’s quarterfinals with a place at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup at stake.

Jamaica remain unbeaten after recording one win and two draws in a group that also included Honduras and Panama.

Throughout group play, the young Reggae Boyz required late heroics in all three matches to rescue valuable results.

In their opening game against Honduras, Jamaica needed an added-time goal from Brandon Bent to secure a 2-1 victory.

Then, after falling 2-0 behind against Panama, the Boyz struck twice in the second half, with the equaliser coming deep into stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw.

Against Canada in their final group match, the Rudolph Austin-coached team was awarded a penalty deep into added time and converted to salvage a point and secure a place in the last eight.

Sean Leighton, who scored the penalty in the 2-2 draw with Canada, said the job was far from done.

“It was a very good feeling to get that late goal. It’s a lot of pressure, but we have to suck it up.

“We could have done better to control the game, but it was all good in the end. We got a draw to take us into the next round, but the job’s not finished,” he insisted.

In the teams’ group-stage meeting, Canada enjoyed the bulk of possession and created the better chances.

However, the Jamaicans consistently looked dangerous on the counterattack and possess quality attacking players such as Jahmarie Nolan, Jamone Lyle, and Brandon Bent, who can make a difference and keep the Canadian defence on its toes.

A win for either team would secure a place in the semi-finals and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com