KINGSTON, Jamaica— Jamaica shook off a spirited Bermuda 3-2 at the St Kitts Technical Centre in Basseterre on Wednesday to top Group F in the Concacaf Under-20 World Cup qualifying with a maximum nine points from three games.

The John Wall-coached Jamaican team qualified for the Concacaf final round that will be played in Mexico July 19 to August 4 and will feature the participation of the 12 best Concacaf U-20 men’s national teams.

Jamaica led 2-0 at half time but gave up two quick goals early in the second half before second half substitute Ashton Gordon scored the winner in the 83rd minute to spare the Jamaicans some blushes.

Jamaica, who had beaten Martinique 1-0 on Saturday and Grenada 2-0 on Monday, went into the game needing only a draw to win the group and earn qualification, while Bermuda had to win by two goals to stop Jamaica who needed a draw and would still advance even with a 0-1 loss.

It was a tough night for Jamaica’s captain Romain Blake who missed a late first half penalty that would have seen Jamaica take a 3-0 lead, missed a tackle on the edge of the box that saw Bermuda score their first goal, then gave up the penalty kick that led to the scores being tied at 2-2.

Robino Gordon opened the scoring in just the second minute when he headed in a free-kick and Fabian Reynolds doubled the lead in the 11th minute when he unleashed a powerful left footer, cutting in from the right of the Bermuda 18-yard area, into the top right corner of the goal.

Jamaica got the chance to make it 3-0 in time added when they were awarded a penalty kick but Blake dragged it past the left upright.

Bermuda pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half when Xahvi Deroza skipped over tackle from Blake and beat Jamaican goalkeeper Taywayne Lynch at his near left post.

It was the first goal conceded by Jamaica in the tournament.

The scores were tied 10 minutes later when Hayden Dill converted from the penalty spot but Gordon who came on in the second half, restored Jamaica’s lead with a long range curling shot from well outside the area.

-Paul A Reid