Woeful Jamaica start poorly.

Reported By Mark Dunn ~PREMIDICTOR

28th April, 2007

Jamaica will have to play the final three games of the final round of Under-17 World Cup qualification with their backs against the wall after a disappointing opening game against Canada.

The 3-nil loss was made even more devastating because of the hopes the country has put into the youngsters. At this point the Under-17s are the only team left with a chance of making it to a World tournament and already that has begun to seem like a dream to many.

The goals for Canada came from the boots of Daniel Tannous, jarek Whiteman and William Hyde but it never mattered who were the personnel, the goals always looked on the cards.

The only positives for the Jamaicans was the fact they created a number of chances as well. Kenniel hyde for instance, could have had a goal but only managed to hit open sky from point-blank range.

Hyde again struck one fiercely from a free-kick but found crossbar in the way.  This was of course after Tannous had already opened the scoring with a third minute header from a right-sided free-kick.

Whitman was the next to score after he was the first to a rebound which he calmly put away. Hyde’s goal, while just capping off an eventuality, was a peach that must be mentioned.

The left sided midfielder beat the offside trap and drove into the Jamaican box from an angle on the left side of the field. Being aware enough to see the goalkeeper, who should have been watching his near post cheating, trying to sneak across to get unto a possible cross, he put his knee over the ball and drove let his weight fall unto a rasping near post drive that left Adam Street stranded.

Just as their goalkeeper was stuck on the shot so is Jamaica’s hopes of qualification because they know Canada isn’t the best team they have to play against.

Let’s not call it too soon yet though, let’s wait until Wednesday’s game between Jamaica and Costa Rica.