JAMAICA’S campaign at the Concacaf Under-20 Championship ended in defeat on Wednesday night as a 1-3 extra-time loss to Canada at Estadio Cuauhtémoc ended their chances of qualifying for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Rodolph Austin’s team fought back to force extra time after an unbeaten group stage, but two goals in that period sent Jesse Marsch’s Canada through to the semi-finals.

Canada controlled the early stages with a high press that made it difficult for Jamaica to keep the ball in midfield. Richard Chukwu broke through in the second minute to set up Lucas Lima, who shot wide, before Owen Graham-Roache missed a similar chance five minutes later.

Jamaica struggled to build attacks under Canadian pressure. Their best chance of the first half came in the 26th minute when Raequan Campbell-Dennis crossed to Jahmarie Nolan at the back post, but the forward’s header missed the target. Canada held 62 per cent of possession in the first half and kept Jamaica without a shot on target.

The second half was more open. Jahmani Bell nearly caught Canada goalkeeper Nathaniel Abraham off his line in the 54th minute with a shot from 60 yards that went just wide. However, Canada took the lead three minutes later. Liam Mackenzie ran through the Jamaican midfield, beat several defenders, and shot past Joshua Grant.

Canada continued to create chances, but Grant made key saves to keep Jamaica in the match, while Marius Aiyenero had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR in the 73rd minute.

Jamaica found an equaliser late in regulation time.

Jamaica U-20 forward Jamone Lyle plays the ball during their Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship quarter-final game against Canada at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico, last night. (Photo: Concacaf Media)

In the 86th minute, substitute Giovanni Taylor was fouled in the box by Dylan Jonelson. Captain Nolan scored the 87th-minute penalty, marking his fourth goal of the tournament and the fourth-straight game Jamaica scored in the final five minutes of regular time.

However, Canada retook the lead early in extra time. In the 93rd minute, Campbell-Dennis brought down Aiyenero in the box, and Mackenzie scored the penalty for his second goal of the match.

“I think it’s just a mindset thing,” Nolan said after the match regarding the extra-time collapse. “One slip-up in the back and we gave away a penalty. Other than that, I think we fought to the end. We just have to regroup and come again.”

Jamaica pushed for another equaliser, but Orel Miller missed the target from a lobbed pass in the 105th minute. By the end of the match, Canada held a 10-2 advantage in shots on target.

Canada secured the win in the 116th minute. Grant cleared a cross from Marsel Bibishkov into the path of Max Vogele, who volleyed the ball into the net from the edge of the box.

“It’s just unfortunate that we tried our best but lost, so we just have to come again in the next qualifiers,” Nolan said. When asked about Jamaica’s future his focus was on, “Preparation, trying to finish off the games better, and just try again to qualify for the World Cup.”

The result ends Jamaica’s tournament despite an encouraging group phase during which they went unbeaten, scored in three straight games for the first time since 2018, and picked up points against two Central American teams for the first time in competition history. Canada advances to the semi-finals and earns qualification for both the Under-20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics.

Jamaica U-20 defender Duwayne Burgher (left) tracks the run of Canada’s Lucas Lima during their Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship quarter-final game at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico, last night. (Photo: Concacaf Media)