GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Jamaica’s Under-17 footballers were on the verge of qualifying for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup before a late goal by El Salvador’s Brandon Ramirez at the Cementos Progreso Stadium saw them eliminated after a 2-1 defeat.
Jamaica Under-17’s football team narrowly missed out on qualifying for the FIFA Under-17 World CupThe young Reggae Boyz went into the matchup as group leaders, needing just a draw to book their spot in the World Cup in Qatar.
They found themselves on the backfoot early on when Jefferson Perla put El Salvador ahead in the 22nd minute with a powerful free kick that beat goalkeeper Justin Murray.
However, Raequan Campbell-Dennis pulled the game level in the 48th minute after finding himself in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball over the line, to finish off an initial shot from Cadriano Marsh.
Jamaica almost fell behind in the 70th minute following a mistake from the defense, but Murray made a brilliant reflex save.
El Salvador continued to press forward and got their winner in the 80th minute when Ramirez broke free on the left and unleashed a shot that beat Murray, and despite a desperate clearance by Cai Mclean, the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line.
The result means Jamaica ends the campaign second in Group H on six points, trailing group winners El Salvador on nine points.
