Jamaica’s Under-17 Reggae Boyz qualified for the FIFA World Cup after beating Canada 3-1 in their CONCACAF Championship today in Costa Rica.
Jamaica topped Group G with maximum nine points following earlier victories over Aruba 3-0 and Cayman Islands 12-0. Canada finished second with six points. Aruba finished third following their 3-1 win over the Cayman Islands
Jamaica started the day needing a draw to qualify, and captain Jahmarie Nolan calmed the nerves, scoring in the 37th minute. Then Jamone Lyle netted in minute 53, and Jaheem Bennett put the icing on the cake in stoppage time, scoring in the 90+2 minute.
This is the third time Jamaica have qualified for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, and has put head coach Wendell Downswell in a class of his own, as he has now helmed the young Boyz on their three trips to the premier event.
He first did so 27 years ago in 1999 and again in 2011.
The Under-17s became the first Jamaican team to qualify for three World Cups and the first men’s team to reach the World Cup in 15 years.
Jamaica join Haiti, Panama, Costa Rica and the United States of America as the teams to book their spots at the World Cup set for November in Qatar.