WITH Jamaica’s Under-17 men’s team hours away from potentially qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year, Assistant Coach Vassell Reynolds believes the achievement would provide a massive boost to the national programme.

The young Reggae Boyz are to take on El Salvador at 8:00 pm in the final match of Group H in Concacaf Under-17 Championship, at Estadio Cementos Progeso in Guatemala.

Despite both teams having six points, Jamaica only need a draw to qualify for the global showpiece as they lead the group with a goal difference of +11. El Salvador ‘s goal difference is +10.

Reynolds told the Jamaica Observer that the team is energised by the prospect of making history.

“It’s very important for the nation’s football to qualify for a World Cup at this level. I think it would be a motivation for all — the federation, football in general, and all stakeholders, especially for the youngsters who have an opportunity to represent the country. It’s very important for us and we have that as a mindset going into the game,” he said.

The team trained on Friday morning ahead of the contest, and although playing two games in three days, Reynolds says the Boyz are prepared for the encounter.

“It was a good session, a very light one. We had total rest on Thursday, because the back-to-back games is not easy to manage, so what we’ve been doing is a lot of recovery sessions. So, we had a light session [on Friday], which went well. The players seem to be well rested and relaxed and look upbeat so from that standpoint, we’re very happy,” he said.

The young Jamaicans secured the advantage with a massive 10-1 win over Cayman Islands on Wednesday, to add to their 3-1 victory over St Lucia on Monday. El Salvador, after hammering Cayman Islands 8-0 in their opening game, could only manage a 2-0 win over St Lucia on Wednesday — which means only a win can give them qualification.

Although Jamaica only need a point, Reynolds says the team won’t be tentative in their approach.

“The fact we have achieved what we set out to achieve in the first two games makes us satisfied. We’re in the position we wanted to be in, going into the last match with things in our favour,” he said.

“We have the advantage — and the approach is to not give up the advantage — but I think we’re going to approach the game with a positive without giving up the advantage that we have,” Reynolds added.

It would be the third time in the country’s history that they qualified for an Under-17 World Cup, following appearances at the 1999 and 2011 editions. They would also be the first Jamaica football team at any level and gender to qualify for three World Cups.