U-17s in final showdown - Jamaica hunting third spot against Panama

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau: North American neighbours, tournament favou-rites United States and the fancied Canada, who emerged victorious from Friday's semi-final double-header, will square-off in today's 2011 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship final at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, St James. Kick-off time is 7 p.m.

Hosts Jamaica who lost 2-0 to the United States in their semi-final match-up and Panama, who were clipped 1-0 by Canada in their semi-final clash, will square-off in the third place play-off, starting at 4 p.m.

Based on their respective performances going through the various rounds of the tournament, both Canada and the United States are bubbling with confidence as they seek to walk away from the tournament with the enviable title of being the region's best.

The United States team, which has a perfect 100 per cent win record from the four games they have played - 3-1 against Cuba, 1-0 against Panama, 3-2 extra-time against El Salvador and 2-0 against Jamaica - are bubbling with confidence and coach Wilmer Cabrera expects them to take home the title.

"A final is special, this is going to be a special game for us and Canada," said Cabrera, "We will definitely be ready for this game ... the youngsters have done very well so far and I know they would like to end the tournament with this title."

impressive record

Canada, the tournament's best offensive and defensive team, scoring 11 unanswered goals, are also on a high as coach Sean Fleming is bent on extending their impressive record and taking home the title in the process.

"While getting into the final is new territory for us, we are very confident," said coach Fleming. "We are yet to give up a goal in the tournament and once we keep that record, the title will be ours."

With both teams possessing some of the best talent on show in the tournament, it will be interesting to see how the United States' Mario Rodriguez Jr, Marc Pelosi, Esteban Rodriguez and the prolific Andrew Oliver match up again the gifted Keven Aleman, Chris Nanco, Marco Lapenna and Luca Gasparotto.

Despite their semi-final disappointment, both the Jamaica and Panama camp will be taking the third-place play-off very serious in a bid to enhance their respective reputations going into this summer's FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico.

According to Jamaica's coach Wendell Downswell, while it is no longer possible to come first or second in the tournament, coming third is the next best they can do and the team will be shooting to take that position.

"The fans have supported us well in this tournament and we would definitely like to take third place for them," said coach Downswell.

For the Panama team, which created history in this tournament by qualifying for their first FIFA Under-17 World Cup, their management staff is full of confidence.

golden boot

"We will be putting everything into this game," said Panama's coach Jorge Valdez. "The youngsters did us proud and it would be nice to end the tournament with a win."

For Jamaica, striker Jason Wright has a chance to emerge with the tournament's golden boot (he is tied on four goals with Costa Rica's John Ruiz) and should be specially motivated do so.

Tickets for the final day of the championships are available at three venues today - the Claro Outlet, Baywest Plaza in Montego Bay between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Captain's Bakery, St James Street from 2 p.m. and at the match venue, the Montego Bay Sports Complex, from noon until match time.

Ticket prices are: bleachers $200, grandstand $500 and VIP (limited) $1,000.