Jamaica are through to the Fifa Boys Under-17 World Cup in Qatar after beating 10-man Canada 3-1 in their top-of-the-table Concacaf Group G qualifier game in Alajuela, Costa Rica on Wednesday.

The young Reggae Boyz finished the tournament with maximum nine points from three games after also beating Aruba and Cayman Islands earlier, booking their ticket for Qatar in November.

Captain Jahmarie Nolan, Jamone Lyle and substitute Jaheem Bennett scored the goals for Jamaica to return to the Fifa Under-17 World Cup for the first time since 2011 and third time overall.

Canada played the final five minutes of regulation and seven minutes of added time at the end of the second half with 10 men after substitute Vincente Lourenco was sent off after getting a second yellow card.

Nolan gave Jamaica the lead in the 37th minute when he volleyed home a cross from Lyle on the right wing past Canada’s goalkeeper Gabriel Pandolfo. The goal came against the run of play as Canada, who had to win the game to qualify, controlled the match at the start and were denied from taking the lead when Jamaica’s goalkeeper O’Mario White made a goal line save.

Lyle doubled the advantage in the 53rd minute after a brilliant solo effort, driving past two defenders on the right side of Canada’s 18 yards box and firing the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Canada pulled a goal back in the 71st minute after referee César Nolasco awarded a contentious penalty – Van Parker going down in the box after a challenge, then getting up to convert the spot kick.

Bennett, who was an 80th minute substitute, replacing Romie Henry, got the third goal in the first minute of added time, firing home at the far left corner.

Noland had taken the ball from his own half and bulled his way down the right side before cutting inside and finding Bennett with the cross.

Jamaica, who had made one change to the starting team that had beaten Cayman Islands 12-0 on Sunday, were forced to make a change in the first half after Kenoy Banton was injured and was replaced by Justin Hayles.

In the first game of the double header, Aruba beat Cayman Islands 3-1 to complete their schedule.
-Paul A Reid