CHORRERA, Panama — A place in the U-17 Football World Cup.

That’s what the Jamaica team is eyeing when they come face-to-face with Canada in today’s quarter-final of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.

The game is scheduled for a 5:30 pm start on the artificial pitch at the Estadio Muquita Sanchez, and a victory for either team will secure a spot at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup later this year.

Jamaica’s head coach Wendell Downswell said he expects it to be a mountainous task, but is banking on the readiness and sheer hunger of his troops to make a difference.

“Traditionally, no matter who you are up against when you reach the top eight, it is going to be tough because you are up against the elite teams. We are playing a North American and they are always challenging. We got a lot of rest heading into the game, so we used the opportunity to prepare the team.

“In the sessions the youngsters responded in a very positive way and therefore we are quite upbeat. We are pretty confident (of beating Canada) and we have watched videos and also watched them live,” he told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

The Young Reggae Boyz put in two displays of contrasting quality in finishing second in Group A. The first was a tactically sound and mature showing in the 1-1 draw with hosts and group winners Panama.

Two days later, however, Jamaica disappointingly stumbled to a 2-2 result against Barbados in a match that exposed some indiscipline both in attack and in defence.

While the Jamaicans used the ball productively in midfield and mixed intricate short passes with the odd ball over the top of the opponents’ defence, the numerous missed chances was a sore point for the technical staff.

In defence, there was some shambolic marking and a lack of anticipation that left Downswell and his assistant Omar Edwards frustrated.

Meanwhile, the seasoned Canadians, playing a brand of open attacking football, won Group B with four points after blanking second-placed Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 and drawing 1-1 with Costa Rica.

Well-prepared and undoubtedly operating on a larger budget than that possible of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Canada start the tie as slight favourites.

The Jamaica players had a light session yesterday at the match venue where they practised set pieces and penalty kicks.

The veteran youth coach, while not detailing his approach, said he will be using a 4-4-2 formation and will want his team to be “tight defensively” and ultimately to keep “a clean sheet”.

The Jamaicans are also likely to use I’ishmale Currie and Seigle Knight in central midfield roles.

The battle-hardened Downswell, who led previous successful campaigns to the 2001 FIFA Under-20 World Cup and to the Under-17 showpiece two years ago, believes his squad will put all the right facets together at the most telling moment.

“I do believe that they will get it right. They recognise how important it is to maintain tactical discipline that we have been working on, and based on the response in training we are looking forward to success by virtue of advancing to the World Cup,” he assured.

Likely Jamaica starting XI — Junior Flemmings (capt), Nicholas Nelson (goalkeeper), Rushane McClymont, Oneil Anderson, Tyshan Hill, Imani Beckford, Seigle Knight, I’ishmale Currie, Martin Davis, Khallil Stewart, Michael Seaton.