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Reggae Boyz make perfect start in U17 World Cup Qualifiers
February 11, 2025
Jamaica's Under-17 Reggae Boyz started their World Cup Qualifiers with a 3-1 win over St Lucia in their opening Group H Concacaf clash at the Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala yesterday.
The young Reggae Boyz are tied on three points with El Salvador after the first round of games yesterday, when the Central American team thumped Cayman Islands 8-0 in the other group fixture. By virtue of goal difference, El Salvador lead Group H.
The group winner will advance directly to the FIFA U17 World Cup Championship later this year.
Meanwhile, goals from Seymour Garfield-Reid (12th minute), Dario White (50th) and Jahmari Nolan (55th) saw the Jamaicans to a comfortable victory.
Shevon Byron scored for St Lucia in the 73rd minute.
Jamaica started slowly but got off the mark when Garfield-Reid blasted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that flew between the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper.
The young Reggae Boyz had a glorious opportunity to double their lead minutes later, but Garfield-Reid lifted over the bar after receiving an excellent through ball from Raequan Campbell-Dennis.
Reggae Boyz goalkeeper Cai-Anthony McLean escaped a possible red card in the 28th minute after he took out Justice Germaine, who broke away free on goal.
Jamaica continued to control the game, but Garfield-Reid could not turn home another chance, from 12 yards, after good work from Keiran Smith down the left.
However, the St Lucians were a threat on the counter, and only an alert McLean prevented Byron from getting loose in the 32nd minute.
Three minutes into the second half, Cadriano Marsh flashed a header wide of the mark, as Jamaica looked to increase their advantage.
Moments later St Lucia skimmed the bar with a shot from the edge of the area, after good work from Byron.
However, Jamaica went straight up field and Garfield-Reid laid the ball on for substitute White, who drilled a shot into the far corner to make it 2-0.
Marsh then hit a shot against the post as Jamaica threatened to run away.
The young Reggae Boyz would increase their lead, when another substitute, Jahmari Nolan, fired an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper A'dee Germe in the 54th.
Nolan also came close to a second in the 72nd minute, but he fired over the bar from inside the box.
The St Lucians got a goal back when Byron capitalised on some hesitancy in defence and lifted the ball over the advancing Murray.
