MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica - Gabriel Leiva put Costa Rica ahead just before halftime and the Ticos went on to a 3-1 victory over a 10-man Haiti on Monday in the opening match of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.

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William Quiros and Johnley Chery traded first-half goals before Leiva gave Costa Rica the lead for good. John Ruiz added the insurance two minutes into the second half and Haiti's efforts to overcome a two-goal deficit were all but destroyed when Renato Etienne was expelled in the 83rd minute.

Costa Rica has qualified for the U-17 World Cup each of the last five times and Monday's victory gives it a quick start to a quarterfinal berth and a chance at extending its streak. Haiti is playing in the CONCACAF finals for only the fourth time, but third in four tries.

Haitians threatened several times in the first five minutes, but Costa Rica eventually was able to stabilize.

Quiros gave the Ticos a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute, but Chery equalized a minute later, hammering a rebound into the roof of the net after Costa Rican goalkeeper Pedro Roman thwarted an initial attempt.

Costa Rica regained the lead when Leiva struck a free kick from 25 yards past a helpless Wendy Thoby.

After Ruiz extended the Ticos' advantage, Costa Rica saw a header crash off the crossbar in the 71st minute and Ruiz sent an effort wide with 16 minutes left.

Costa Rica next faces El Salvador on Friday while Haiti will need a victory against "Los Cuscatelcos" on Wednesday to maintain a realistic chance of advancing.