KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica’s Under-17 boys made a winning start to their quest for a place in the FIFA World Cup later this year, beating Aruba 3-0 in their opening Concacaf Qualifying Group G game in Alajuela, Costa Rica, on Friday.

Two late goals cemented the win for the Jamaicans, who led 1-0 at halftime.

Kelvin D Brown gave Jamaica the lead late in the first half, scoring in time added at the end of the first half. Justin Hayles, who replaced Kevin Brown in the 68th minute, doubled the advantage in the 82nd minute before team captain Jahmarie Nolan added a third in time added at the end of the second half.

Jamaica will next face the Cayman Islands on Sunday.

The Cayman Islands and Canada were set to meet in the other Group G game on Friday.

Thirty-four teams from Concacaf are taking part in the final-round qualifying that started on Tuesday for eight places at the World Cup, set to be hosted by Qatar in November.

The team has been separated into eight groups where they will play each other once, with the winners advancing.

—Paul A Reid