JAMAICA’S Under-17 footballers registered their first win on tour with an impressive 5-1 demolition of Rio Claro Under-18s yesterday in a match reduced to 70 minutes because of persistent rain.

Kingston College (KC) student Romario Williams grabbed a three-timer in the 17th, 46th and 49th minutes and was ably supported by a brace from strike partner, Noel Johnson of Glenmuir High in the 34th and 53rd minutes.

It was the first win for the young Reggae Boyz in five matches in their six-week training camp here in Brazil.

Head coach Wendell Downswell was pleased with the performance as his team displayed some tactical awareness that was practised.

Said Downswell: “I’m happy for the performance. Tactically, we did some work on team shape as the games we will be playing now are more focused on tactical approach.

“Nobody showed any signs of cramps, which means that the three weeks that we spent on our preparation went well.

‘We have another quality game against Palmerias tomorrow (today), and that will be a 50-minute game and we will use it to give other players a chance. We have some minor injuries, so we’ll bring in some to cover for them,” he noted.

He added: “We’re happy for the exercise, the players have responded well and we are pretty happy with them. Our intention is to try improve them and so far it has been good.”

After losing their first three games, the young Reggae Boyz battled from three goals down and earned a 3-3 draw with Paulinia Under-18s and yesterday they continued their improved form.

Playing on a wet and soggy field, Downswell opted for newcomer Richard Trench in goal and he looked assured throughout.

Alvin Powell, Quante Smith, Kemo Wallace and Jason Jacobs were the starting defenders, with captain Omar Holness, the outstanding Romane Brown, Romario Jones and Andre “LA” Lewis in midfield. Three-goal hero Williams and Johnson, who notched a double, started up front.

With the game reduced to 70 minutes, the slick-moving Jamaicans gained the ascendancy and never looked back and in the 17th minute, Williams powered past the last defender and rifled home a low grounder past goalkeeper Vitor.

Four minutes later, Holness crashed a powerful shot onto the upright, then hit the goalkeeper and went for a corner.

Jamaica doubled their advantage in the 34th when Johnson nodded home from a corner kick as Jamaica ended the half two goals ahead.

Williams then made it 3-0 after tapping home when the outstanding Brown, operating from left midfield, terrorised Rio Claro’s right back in the 46th.

Williams then completed his three-timer, converting a 49th-minute penalty after Lewis was fouled in the box.

Johnson made it 5-0 in the 53rd, powering past the two defenders and firing home a low grounder. He was immediately substituted.

Despite their dominance, Downswell must be a bit disappointed as his charges lost their disciplined approach and conceded a last-minute penalty.

Jamaica will play their sixth match today against th Under-18s of top Brazilian club Palmerias, starting at 9:30 am (6:30 am Jamaican time).

It is expected to be their toughest encounter to date as Palmerias are eight-time Brazilian champions, have won the South American Libertadores Cup once and have notched the Sao Paulo state title 21 times.