LA CHORRERA, Panama, CMC- Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica are one win away from claiming spots in the 2013 FIFA under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates later this year. They have both qualified for the quarter final stage of the tournament and will play matches this weekend in their bid to secure semi-final births which gives them automatic entry into the world cup from October 17 to November 8.
However Barbados were eliminated from the tournament after losing two nil to Panama on Wednesday night. Trinidad, who placed second in their group B will meet Panama in the first of the CONCACAF quarterfinals, while Jamaica, also runners up in their group A, will play Canada in the other match on Saturday at Estadio Agustín Sánchez.
The Trinidadians reached the quarterfinal round without kicking a ball, on Wednesday night, after Canada drew 1-1 with Costa Rica, who they beat 2-0 on Monday. T&T outplayed Canada in its opening game but ended up 0-2 losers before reversing the scoreline against Costa Rica through goals by midfielders Andre Fortune and Brent Sam. The Junior soca warriors will be facing a formidable opponent who are backed by home fans who have been filling the Sanchez Stadium for all of Panama’s games. “Of course I’m elated to see the team reach to this point. They have worked hard but we haven’t qualified as yet. The actual qualifier is on Saturday against the host nation,” said Trinidad Technical Director Anton Corneal.
“We know they will not roll over but our guys are confident and very focused. They know we are ninety minutes away from a once in a lifetime achievement for them”.
The Jamaicans qualified for the knock-out phase after drawing 1-1 with Panama and drawing 2 -2 with Barbados.
Quarterfinals are being played today and tomorrow, with the four winners qualifying for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
