PANAMA CITY, Panama — National Under-17 head coach Wendell Downswell said the team is “quite positive” ahead of the crucial Group A World Cup qualifying match against Panama at the Estadio Muquita in Chorrera.

The match is set for an 8:00 pm kick-off.

Downswell, who led previous successful campaigns for the 2001 FIFA Under-20 World Cup and for Under-17s two years ago, said he expects a tough battle, but stressed that his team will have to show discipline against the hosts.

“Our expectations are high and we are quite positive. Playing against the host country is always a challenge, especially this being our opening game. From a tactical standpoint we want to play a very disciplined game, and our intention is to try and get a point or the maximum three from this game,” he told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“We won’t disclose too much of our tactical approach, but we will look to be tight defensively and not give anything away, and then offensively we have quality players that can provide the necessary things at that end,” he added.

He did, however, reveal that he is looking to use a 4-4-2 formation with two central midfield players.

Jamaica have a less than encouraging record against Panama at various levels. The senior Reggae Boyz last month had to hold onto a 1-1 result against a strong-looking Panama team at the National Stadium.

Also recently, the Under-20 team was blanked 0-4 by Panama in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in Mexico.

Downswell said he is wary of the threat, but was confident of reversing the result.

“Yes, we have a poor record against them, but we want to turn this one around. The players are pretty focused on the task at hand, and we are pretty confident that they will go out and do us justice,” he said.

The Young Reggae Boyz arrived in the Central American country Thursday night before holding their first practice session on an artificial turf at the Universidad Nacional de Panama located in the capital city.

With an eye on today’s encounter, the one-hour session in warm and highly humid conditions was expectedly light and featured basic drills and a few tactical football exercises.

Some players noticeably had difficulties striking the ball cleanly on the synthetic surface, but they had the chance to get a taste of the match venue in Chorrera during last night’s scheduled trip there.

The veteran youth coach said lack of funding prevented an earlier trip to Panama to get the players more suitably acclimatised.

“Yes, if we could (we would have come earlier), but financially we were not in a position to really do something of that magnitude. However, it comes down to how we focus and execute on the day. We want to be as positive as possible as it relates to our execution of this assignment,” he said.

Jamaica will next face Caribbean Football Union (CFU) rivals Barbados on Monday at 5:30 pm.

The top-two countries from each group will progress to the quarter-final stage and the four semi-finalists will qualify for the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates from October 17 to November 8.

Likely Jamaica starting XI — Junior Flemmings (capt), Nicholas Nelson (goalkeeper), Rushane Mclymont, Oneil Anderson, Tyshon Hill, Imani Beckford, Iishmale Currie, Martin Davis, Ryan Miller, Khalil Stewart, Michael Seaton.