CHORRERA, Panama — Jamaica are all but assured of a place in the quarter-final stage of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, despite twice giving up the lead in a 2-2 result against Caribbean rivals Barbados at the Estadio Muquita Sanchez yesterday.

Raffique Bryan opened the scoring for the Young Reggae Boyz with a deft lob in the seventh minute, but the speedy Shaquille Boyce pulled Barbados level with a fine finish 10 minutes later.

Jamaica captain Junior Flemmings (37th minute) notched his second goal of the tournament — both penalties — to restore the advantage heading into the half-time interval.

However, a mere 10 minutes into the second period, the plucky Bajans emphasised their fighting spirit when Shakille Belle booted in the equaliser from close range, after reacting quickest to a header off the cRossbar.

The Jamaicans have two points from as many matches to lead Group A — after previously drawing with hosts Panama.

Barbados and Panama, who play each other tomorrow, follow with a point each.

A victory for either will see Jamaica advance to the quarter-final as the second-placed team from the group. A draw, which would leave all three teams locked on two points, could also put the Jamaicans through.

Only the top two countries from each group will progress to the quarter-final stage.

The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be staged in the United Arab Emirates from October 17 to November 8.

TEAMS: Jamaica — Nicholas Nelson, Oneil Anderson, Rushane McClymont, Khallil Stewart, Nathaniel Leslie, Zachary Jones (Malcolm Dixon 53rd), Seigle Knight, Maalique Foster (John Levee 61st), Junior Flemmings, Raffique Bryan (I’ishmale Currie 82nd), Michael Seaton

Subs not used:Donald Francis, Malcolm Stewart, Martin Davis

Booked: none

Barbados — Keon Harding, Carl Hinkson, Andre Blackman (Kyle Yearwood 81st), Ramar Millar, Ranaldo Bailey, Rosean Brathwaite (Rasheed Clarke 59th), Shaquille Boyce, Shakille Belle, Sebastien Hunte, T’Shane Lorde (Damian Clarke 71st), Edward Okey

Subs not used: Rishi Panjwani, Timothy Maynard, Ocean Sobers-Henry, Frederick Mulligan, Niko Terho, Len-Ross Davis

Booked: Edward Okey (36th)

Referee: David Rubalcaba (Cuba)

Assistant Referees: Hiran Dopico (Cuba), Juan Lemus (Guatemala)

Fourth Official: Jhonatan Polanco (Guatemala)

Match commissary: Adrian Garibay (United States)