JAMAICA Under-17 head coach Andrew Edwards is brimming with confidence that his young charges can top Group A of the CONCACAF Championship and eventually secure a FIFA World Cup spot in Chile in October.

The Jamaicans are drawn alongside the United States of America (USA), Honduras, Cuba, Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago in Group A.

Group B consists of perennial powerhouse Mexico, along with Canada, Panama, Haiti, Costa Rica and St Lucia in what appears to be the harder of the two groups.

“I have said before that the only bad draw is the one that you are not in, and the only good draw is the one that you are in, so we are very happy to have been in the draw,” Edwards told the Jamaica Observer.

“I think we are in a very competitive group, but one that we can realistically expect to progress from and I believe there is a strong possibility that we can win the group, especially if we can get a point from our first game. Three points would be even better,” noted Edwards.

Jamaica will open their campaign on February 27 against Honduras in the third game of a triple-header at the Estadio Francisco Morazan.

“I believe based on our scouting and observations of our opponents, that we are a cut above Guatemala, Cuba and Trinidad and then it would basically come down to a decisive game against the USA. But that is speaking in ideal terms. We know we have to go out there and play every game and earn the points,” said Edwards.

“But I really believe we have got a competitive draw, but one that we can certainly feel very confident of progressing from,” he continued.

The two group winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup.

Twenty-four days before the championship, Edwards currently has a training camp of 24 players, including seven who didn’t make the Caribbean qualifying trip in Haiti. The coach is happy with the progress of the group, which will ultimately be cut to 20.

“The preparation has been going quite well. We have had an extensive scouting of players locally and internationally since coming back from Haiti,” noted Edwards.

“As it is we are very close to that 20 and we have a few weeks before we make our final decision. We are allowing all the boys the opportunity to stake their claim,” he added.

The squad has been bolstered by an attacking midfielder, Jordon Montoya from Bill Crothers, Canada; central midfielder Dilan Perrin of Kendall Academy, USA; central defender Jahlanie Hammond of Miramar United (USA); Zaire Bartley, a forward from New York Red Bulls; utility player Demar James of St Elizabeth Technical; defender Chris-Andrew Dixon of Super Action FC, St Elizabeth, and goalkeeper Jabulani Lindsay of Titchfield High.

“For the most part I would say that the integration has been very good, so overall we are very satisfied with these players,” Edwards ended.

The squad is completed by goalkeepers Jahmali White (JC), Akeem Chambers (St Jago); defenders Jahwani Hinds of Calabar High, Ajeanie Talbott (JC), Fabian Grant (Camperdown), Juvane Brown (KC), Antoniel Mullings (Penwood High); midfielders Alex Marshall (St George’s College), Shandel Senior (Vere), Peter-Lee Vassell (Cornwall College), Hakim Williams (Calabar), Tajea Brown (Camperdown), Charles Grant (Muchette High); Forwards: Justin McMaster (Hillel Academy), Donovan Dawkins (JC), Nicholas Nelson (Hydel) and Deshane Beckford (Rusea’s).