JAMAICA’S Under-17 Reggae Boyz are on the brink of a third qualification for a FIFA Men’s U-17 World Cup and need just one more positive result to secure a place in Qatar later this year.

They face Canada in their final Group G match of the Concacaf Men’s U-17 Qualifiers in Alajuela, Costa Rica, today at 3:00 pm Jamaica time, knowing that a draw will be enough to secure qualification. Victory, however, would remove any doubt and crown a strong group campaign.

Jamaica put themselves firmly in control of their destiny with back-to-back wins. They opened with a 3-0 victory over Aruba on Friday before a 12-0 win over the Cayman Islands on Sunday. Those results handed Jamaica a superior goal difference and top spot in the group, ahead of Canada who defeated Cayman 3-0 and Aruba 5-1.

Kelvin Brown has emerged as one of the team’s key attacking threats, following up his goal against Aruba with four strikes against Cayman. Jahmarie Nolan, who also scored against Aruba, added a brace in the second match and continues to impress with his movement and finishing. Full backs Javan Foster and Duwayne Burgher have provided balance and width, while winger Jamone Lyle has been a consistent outlet in attack.

Canada, though trailing on goal difference, remain dangerous in opposition and will be pushing for all three points. Striker Van Parker has already found the net three times in the tournament, scoring twice against Aruba and once against Cayman. Defender Stefan Kapor has also stood out while Silas Schoppitsch, Liam Torres and midfielder Nico Wood are expected to play key roles.

Jamaica’s Head Coach Wendell Downswell says his players are in high spirits as they approach the decisive contest, but says there will be no room for complacency.

“The players are really upbeat, quite excited, and we’re looking forward to this,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of a final training session. “We’re very confident. We’re looking forward to a grand performance. Based on our preparation and our performance thus far we put ourselves in good stead where there are two results that could bring us to the World Cup — a draw or a win, either one of those results — and we’re looking forward to being part of another historical feat by virtue of qualifying for the U-17 World Cup in Qatar.”

Despite knowing that a draw will suffice, Downswell stressed that the team’s mentality remains focused on winning.

“We have worked on them mentally as it relates to communicating with them and keeping them grounded [so] that they don’t get carried away and allow any room for complacency,” he said. “I think we have been doing a fantastic job as far as that is concerned and, therefore, we are really looking forward to a grand performance from the youngsters. With each game they’re getting better and better, and I think that augurs well for us in terms of us progressing and qualifying for another U-17 World Cup.”

Downswell, who was part of Jamaica’s technical staff when the country first qualified for the U-17 World Cup in New Zealand in 1999 and later guided the team to qualification in Argentina in 2011, is no stranger to success at this level. He also coached the Under-20 team that qualified for the U-20 World Cup in Argentina in 2001.

Asked about Canada, Downswell acknowledged the challenge but backed his squad to rise to the occasion.

“They’re formidable opposition,” he said. “As you know, it is going to be a tough assignment, challenging for us, but we figure, more or less, that we have the necessary ammunition and tactical awareness to come out victorious.”

Reflecting on the possibility of adding another milestone to his coaching career, Downswell said, “It gives me the impetus and courage knowing I’ve already accomplished these significant feats and I am on the brink of another.”

The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be staged this November, with Concacaf allotted eight places among the 48 teams, including the hosts. For Jamaica, a positive result today would not only confirm another appearance on the global stage, but could also send a broader message from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) about its intent and capacity to qualify teams for major international competitions, after the senior Reggae Boyz’s failure to secure automatic qualification last November. The JFF would also hope it serves as a positive signal ahead of the seniors’ next qualifying opportunity next month.

Jamaica’s Jude Royes (left) duels for the ball with the Cayman Islands’ Dylan Powell-Bonilla during their Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers match in Alajuela, Costa Rica, on Sunday. (Photo: Concacaf Media)

Jamaica’s Under-17 team will look for a positive result against Canada today in their bid to qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. (Photo: Concacaf Media)

DOWNSWELL… we’re very confident. We’re looking forward to a grand performance (Photo: Joseph Wellington)