CATHERINE HALL, St James — The second automatic qualifying spot from CONCACAF to the FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup to be held May to June in New Zealand will be decided today when leaders and unbeaten Panama meet second-placed Guatemala in the first game of a Group A triple-header at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

Panama are perfect after four games and lead with 12 points, two more than Guatemala and need only a draw to win the group and set up a tasty finale against Group B winners and two-time defending champions Mexico on Saturday.

A win for Guatemala would, however, see them celebrating an early qualification to New Zealand and send Panama to the play-offs.

The second- and third-placed teams in each group will play-off also on Saturday to decide the other two places from CONCACAF to the World Cup.

Both Panama and Guatemala are certain to be playing on Saturday, while the USA, on seven points, will need a point against Trinidad and Tobago (four points) to join the Central American teams.

The odds will favour the Americans, who have a goal difference of nine, to T&T’s one.

Hosts Jamaica, on one point, and Aruba, yet to score a point, will play the third game which will be of academic interest only, as neither team is in contention to advance.

Panama are the only team in the tournament still to concede a goal, but based on their most recent showing, a tepid 1-0 victory over nine-man Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, Guatemala might just be confident they can put the leaders under pressure.

Guatemala dominated Aruba to win 2-0 and will hope the skilful Carlos Estrada will lead them in what would be a massive upset.

Panama are certain to lift their game from Sunday’s snooze-fest with Ismael Diaz de Leon inspiring the team.

The USA have won back-to-back games with a 10-0 aggregate after a slow start where they had one point from two matches and with such an advantage could afford to relax against Trinidad, who will be forced to take the game to the Americans.

Trinidad will have to go deep in their bench with Kadeem Corbin and Akeem Humphrey both unavailable after getting red cards in the game against Panama.

Jamaica and Aruba will look to go out in style, both seeking their first win of the tournament and the game could provide some excitement with neither team having anything to lose.

Jamaica have scored two goals and Aruba one in their first ever CONCACAF tournament, but can’t be overlooked as they have shown some attacking flair.

Junior Flemmings will be eligible to return to the Jamaican team after sitting out the loss to the USA on card suspension, and after his good showing on Sunday, Cardel Benbow could be rewarded with another starting spot today.