PUEBLA, Mexico — After crashing out of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship Jamaica’s head coach Luciano Gama says the work must continue if the current crop of players is going to make it to the Rio Olympics in 2016.

“What we hope for them is don’t stop now, we must go for the qualification for the next Pan American Games and we hope (we get) some support in Jamaica to give to them to continue because this team is the team that will fight for a place in Rio in 2016,” Gama told the Jamaica Observer.

He continued: “So we can’t stop we must continue the work and we will have a chance of going to the Olympic Games in 2016.”

Jamaica entered their quarter-final match knowing a win would propel them to the FIFA World Cup in Turkey between June 21 and July 13, but they crashed to an embarrassing 0-4 defeat in another poor display.

The fllodgates opened up when a powerful shot by Armando Zamorano from 30 metres was deflected by Alvas Powell and wrong-footed goalkeeper Rashaun Patterson in the 12th minute.

Marco Bueno doubled Mexico’s advantage, nodding home in the 42nd minute from a right-sided cross from Francisco Flores, that Patterson should have left his line and claim easily.

Patterson, the former Camperdown High and St Jago High goalkeeper who dethroned Nico Campbell as the number one shot-stopper, then further allowed in two questionable goals from free-kicks. After setting a two-man wall that looked more like a rickety fence, Flores easily converted from 22 metres in the 67th minute.

Then Jesus Escoboza saw his right sided freekick eluding Patterson in the 75th minute as Mexico qualified in style.

Jamaica offered little for the second consecutive match, and in just three games, they conceded nine goals while scoring four times.

On their opening match, Jamaica were convincing in their 4-1 defeat of Puerto Rico, before a 4-0 meltdown to group winners Panama.

But Gama saw positives from the last game and thought the Boyz performed well despite the margin of loss.

“I think today was very positive… they fought a very strong team. They followed the game plan, they followed everything that we planned before,” said Gama.

“We gave up some goals in set pieces, but the reality is that the Mexican team is such a good team… the base (of which came) from the Under-17 World Championship,” he noted.

“Everybody knows that it would be very difficult (as) Mexico is a professional team with all the structures and all the facilities. I think the team today (Wednesday) was very brave, we are proud of them,” he added.

Teams:

Jamaica — 01-Rashaun Patterson, 03-Rickardo Oldham, 16-Sean McFarlane, 05-Alvas Powell, 17-Damion Lowe, 08-Romario Jones, 11-Andre Lewis 09-Omar Holmes, 19-Keneil Kirlew, 10-Paul Wilson (04-Javaun Waugh 88th), 07-Kendon Anderson (14-Cleon Pryce 61st).

Subs not used: 13-Nico Campbell, 18-Zhelano Barnes, 20-Shawn Lawes, 12-Andrew Allen, 21-Mark Brown, 15-Oshane Boothe

Booked: McFarlane 49th, Powell 73rd.

Mexico — 01-Richard Sanchez, 02-Francisco Flores, 03-Hedgardo Marin, 04-Antonio Brisenio (Cap), 05-Bernado Hernandez, 06-Armando Zamorana (16-Carlos Trevino 74th), 08-Julio Gomez (18-Uvaldo Luna 68th), 09-Marco Bueno, 10-Jesus Corona, 15-Josecarlos Van Rankin, 20-Jesus Escoboza.

Subs not used: 12-Manuel Lajid, 07-Jorge Espericueta, 11-Geovani Hernandez, 13-Jose Abella, 14-Abel Fuentes, 17-Carlos Fierro, 19-Luis Madrigal.

Booked: Brisenio 45th.

Referee: Hugo Cruz (Costa Rica)

Assistant referees: Warner Castro (Costa Rica), Melvyn Cruz (Honduras)

Fourth Official: Oscar Reyna (Guatemala)

Match Commissary: Ariel Alvarado (Panama)

Andre Lewis (centre) makesa goal-saving tackle on Panama’s Julio Segundo (right) after goalkeeper Rashaun Patterson was left stranded during their Group C fixture in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship on Saturday. Panama won 4-0. (Photos: Luis Licona)