By Marc Stamp, From Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica’s Under-17 football team will look towards another easy victory when they challenge Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) World Cup qualifier at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in Trench Town, St Andrew, starting at 7 p.m. today.

Following a massive 19-0 victory against the US Virgin Islands (USVI) in the opening round of Group One last Saturday, the Jamaica camp is already looking at the final stage in the tournament that serves as a qualifier for the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

“The game (USVI) was far more easy than we expected. We are pretty satisfied. We are now looking forward to a better performance in the next game,” coach of Jamaica’s Under-17 team, Andrew Edwards, told The Gleaner after the huge win last Saturday night.

“Overall, the performance of the team was very good. We will look at information gathered on our next opponent and plan for that game.”

Continuing, he said: “We want the boys to maintain discipline in the other games in the group. Certainly, scoring that many goals was a surprise. The build-ups to the goals were very good for the most part.

“We expect a positive result in the next game, but the focus is on the team’s performance. We are already looking forward to the final stage of the CFU tournament in Haiti next month,” Edwards said.

In the game against the USVI, Jamaica dominated throughout with good attacking plays and cool defending in a one-sided affair.

Striker Donovan Dawkins of Tivoli Gardens High school led the onslaught with seven goals, while Justin McMaster scored four times, St George’s College midfielder Alex Marshall hit a hat-trick, Tajea Brown and substitute Donovan Nelson scored two goals apiece, and vice-captain Ajeanie Talbott scored from the penalty spot.

While the USVI’s goalkeeper, Brandon Chiazza, spent all evening picking up the ball from inside his goal, his Jamaican counterpart had little to do throughout the game, the second of a double-header.

In the first game, Guadeloupe tagged Cayman Islands 3-0.

At the completion of the group stage, the top team will join seven other teams for an eight-nation final-round play-off.

IMAGE: Jamaica Under-17 football team’s seven-goal hero, Donovan Dawkins (left), dribbles past Esalas Charles of the US Virgin Islands during the Caribbean Football Union’s Under-17 World Cup qualifier at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex last Saturday night. Jamaica won 19-0. – Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer

For more: http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140825/sports/sports4.php

Related story:

Puerto Rico [ladies] scores big as Jamaica tops Haiti

From Caribbean Football Union

Couva, Trinidad – Group A of the Women’s Caribbean Cup Finals wrapped up today with Jamaica defeating Haiti 2-0 and Puerto Rico restoring some pride with a 5 – 1 victory over fellow strugglers Bermuda.

The first match at the Ato Boldon Stadium showcased 5 goals in the first half as Puerto Rico opened up the scoring in the 13th minute by Karina Socarras. Minutes later Puerto Rico doubled their lead when Zahimara Fantauzzi scored in the 15th minute.

Bermuda

Bermuda replied a minute later but it was Puerto Rican player Miosoty Garcia, who was guilty of putting the ball in the back of her own net. Puerto Rico then scored their 4th goal of the first half with Scout Benson in the 45th minute.

The second half proved to be one way traffic as Puerto Rico’s Karina Socarras scored her second in the 76th minute.

The Bermudian team fought bravely throughout the second half but Puerto Rico continued dominating ball possession for the remainder of the match.

Puerto Rico finished up by scoring a penalty in the 82th minute with Maria Aquino successfully converting for Puerto Rico to finish 3rd in Group A.

The final match of Group A displayed two powerhouses in Jamaica and Haiti as they battled for first place honours. Both teams started the match with high energy, as fans and neutral supporters were given a quality display of football on the night.

Jamaica

The first goal of the match came from Reggaegirl Jodi-Ann MC Gregor, who scored a beautiful curling free-kick that beat Haitian Goalkeeper Kencia Marseille in the 8th minute of play.

The Haitian ladies tried to recover during the first half but the Reggaegirls kept high confidence and bossed most of the possession.

Haiti in the 24th minute shouted for a penalty but were unsuccessful as the first half ended in Jamaica’s favor. Jamaica doubled their lead in the second half with a goal from Donnakay Henry in the 81st which would ultimately secure them as Group A winners.

Tomorrow in Group B Antigua & Barbuda and St. Kitts & Nevis will battle for the 3rd place spot at 4pm, While at 6pm host Trinidad & Tobago will face Martinique.

For more: http://www.cfufootball.org/index.php/caribbean-cup/9483-puerto-rico-scores-big-as-jamaica-tops-haiti