SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Honduras launched its 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship (CU17) brightly on Friday, posting a 2-0 victory over Jamaica to conclude a Group A tripleheader at the Estadio Francisco Morazan.

Darixon Vuelto and Jorge Alvarez scored for the host Catrachos, who extended their unbeaten streak in CU17 openers to six consecutive games.

Guatemala and the United States opened the day with wins over Trinidad & Tobago (4-1) and Cuba (5-0), respectively.

In the most tightly contested of the three encounters, Honduras and Jamaica battled with pace and strength. The margin of victory always appeared that it would be close as both goals were well earned.

Vuelto, one of the stars of Honduras’ 2013 CONCACAF Under-15 Boys’ Championship title-winning side, used perseverance to tally in the 12th minute. A left-sided cross off the foot of Kevin Castro found Vuelto in the box. The 17-year-old headed initially off a Jamaican defender, but he reacted quickly to snap a left-footer into the back of the net from six-yards out.

Jamaica nearly got on the scoreboard in the 36th minute, when Shandel Senior eluded Alvarez and fired off a right-footed effort from distance that goalkeeper Michael Parello did well to save.

Nine minutes after the break, Nicholas Nelson – Jamaica’s leading scorer in Caribbean qualifying with 10 goals – burst into the right side of the box only to see his right-footed attempt roll agonizingly wide of the left post.

The Hondurans put away the game in the 78th minute through the gritty Alvarez. While on the receiving end of Foslyn Grant’s right-sided cross, the midfielder withstood a challenge to stay on his feet and get off a shot from seven-yards out that appeared to take a slight deflection before entering the net.

Honduras returns to action on Monday against Cuba, while Jamaica will face Guatemala.

IMAGES:

Darixon Vuelto (pictured) celebrates after scoring in Honduras’ win over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship on February 27, 2015, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Photo: Mexsport)

Honduras vs. Jamaica, February 27, 2015. (Photos: Mexsport)