CATHERINE HALL, St James — Jamaica opened their quest for a historic place in a female FIFA World Cup tournament beating Central American team El Salvador 2-0 in their

Group A game in the CONCACAF Girls Under-17 finals at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

Asia Lee-Fatt scored a goal in each half for the hosts as they took charge of Group A after Mexico and Haiti played out a 1-1 draw in the first game. The Jamaicans lead Group A with three points, while the Mexicans and Haiti are on one point each.

Batcheba Louis gave Haiti the lead in the 42nd minute before the Mexicans equalised in the 62nd minute through Vanessa Flores.

Jamaica dominated their encounter and should have been up by at least three goals in the first half after Feleicia Davidson, Robyn-Ann Whittaker hit the woodwork several times and also missed other easy scoring chances.

Diminutive El Salvador goalkeeper Eleonor Zelaya also denied the hosts with a number of good saves.

The relentless Jamaican pressure paid off late in the first half when Lee-Fatt broke away and shot past Zelaya.

Seven minutes into the second half her goal-poaching instincts paid off as she was first to a ball that came back off the post from Khadija Shaw’s powerful shot and slotted it home in an unprotected goal.

The tournament continues today with a Group B double-header with Canada taking on Guatemala at 3:30 pm and defending champions United States and Trinidad and Tobago meeting in the 6:00 pm encounter.

— Paul Reid