Under-17 goalscorers still celebrating

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Two more sporting heroes, Zhelano Barnes and André Lewis, emerged for Jamaica from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which is being staged in Mexico.

This was the island's second appearance at the youth football tournament, and despite exiting at the first round, as their predecessors did, Jamaica, thanks to Barnes and Lewis did well enough to accomplish two significant milestones.

Barnes' 89th-minute volley against Argentina in the team's 2-1 loss marked Jamaica's first goal in the World Cup at the Under-17 level. Lewis then became the fifth player to score for Jamaica at a World Cup courtesy of his ninth-minute opener against France. The game ended in a one-all stalemate, but Lewis' strike secured the country's first point at the highest level in youth football.

For Barnes, the goal was literally a dream come true.

"I don't think words can explain, but it was a good feeling," Barnes told The Gleaner. "The day before the game, I dreamt that I was going to be the first one to score and it did come true," he added.

The Excelsior High student, who represents Super League outfit Cavalier, described his elation.

"It was unbelievable, if I could run around the entire stadium, I would have," Barnes shared. "Even though my team was losing, I had to celebrate because it was the moment of a lifetime," he added.

The 16-year-old left midfielder is set to jet off to Spain in July, where he will undergo a trial stint with Valencia FC.

Lewis returned to the island a much more confident person after scoring in such a top-level competition.

"I feel good, as a youngster, to know I scored at the world youth level, and right now, I am looking at myself as one of the best," Lewis expressed. "When I scored, the players were running at me and I felt so happy, I just wished, at the time, that the game was over, so we could celebrate a win," he added.

Pleased

The St George's College student, who also represents Cavalier, was pleased with how the team played and believes they should have come away with at least one win.

"I feel happy to know that we played so well against Argentina and France and I feel that we should have won that game against Argentina," Lewis said.

The 16-year-old midfielder has high ambitions and is also looking forward to moving up the ranks in local football.

"I hope to one day play in the Champions League, but I look forward to continue playing for my country and representing it in the World Cup at the Under-20 and senior levels," Lewis revealed. "I know that we will qualify for the next Under-20 World Cup," he added.