The captains of Jamaica and visiting Canada take a pregame photo with match officials prior to their under-17 international friendly on November 27, 2016, in Kingston, Jamaica.
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A pair of first-half goals powered Canada to a 3-0 win over host Jamaica in an under-17 international friendly on Sunday at Winchester Park.
The Canadians took a 2-0 lead into halftime thanks to strikes by Jordan Faria (15’) and Alphonso Davies (22’), who netted for the Vancouver Whitecaps in a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City in a Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League game on September 13, 2016.
Yohan Le Bourhis completed the scoreline in the 47th minute.
Canada head coach Paul Stalteri, who played against Jamaica in qualifying for the 2008 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, was pleased with his squad’s performance on a wet afternoon. When playing for Canada, the 39-year-old was on the losing end of a 3-0 result in a World Cup qualifier on November 19, 2008.
“We made well of the conditions,” said Stalteri, a former Werder Bremen standout. “With the rain and the slippery field, we did well to neutralize Jamaica’s threat.
“My last visit to Jamaica as a player was not one to remember, but this time I am happy for the reverse.”
Despite the final score, Jamaica head Andrew Edwards saw reasons for optimism and believes that by continuing to play difficult opponents, the Reggae Boyz will benefit in the long run.
“Compared to where we were in preparation for the USA friendlies, I believe today we executed better,” he said. “Yes, the result is not something to be happy about, but every game is a learning experience for us to grow and develop as a team. I see in the chances we are creating that it is more genuine as well as using wide areas to give us more of a threat.”
The sides, each of which are preparing for next year’s CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in Panama, will meet again Tuesday on the Mona Campus of the University of West Indies.
