The Jamaica Under-17 squad returned to the island yesterday after a failed World Cup-qualifying campaign that ended in disappointment and anguish in Panama on Saturday.

The Young Boyz, who were originally expected back in Jamaica on Sunday, but who were delayed due to airline booking issues, went down 2-4 to Canada in the quarter-final of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.

Bizarrely, Jamaica were ahead in all three of its matches during the tournament, but ended the competition without a single victory.

In the opening game against hosts Panama, the Jamaicans had the early lead, but went down to 10 players before conceding in injury time to draw 1-1. The Jamaicans would go on to lose another player to a red card in the dying seconds of that encounter.

In the second group game against regional rivals Barbados, which finished 2-2, Jamaica led 1-0 and 2-1.

They also had 1-0 and 2-1 advantages over Canada before a second-half defensive implosion saw the sinking of the World Cup dream.

Lapse defending was the target of choice for dart-throwing critics, but many were also left astounded by the glaring lack of awareness and the general paucity of understanding and cohesion among players regarded as the island’s finest.

Head coach Wendell Downswell said his team did not execute tactical plans throughout much of the tournament. Arguing that lack of experience hampered the performance, he also expressed his frustration at how often and how carelessly possession was lost, especially against the rampant North American team.

“One of the problems with our youngsters is their understanding and (them) becoming students of the game… to understand the rudiments of the game. We had so many turnovers (of ball possession) in 45 minutes and at the international level it is unacceptable.

“If you look at the Central American teams and the North Americans and how disciplined they play… The whole aspect of turnovers is a no-no for them, especially in their defensive third. We lost the ball (regularly) against Canada because the players didn’t show the ability to concentrate.

“We just make decisions without a tactical reason. It may be because they do it at the local level and get away with it,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The teams to join Canada in the semi-final and which sealed places to the 2013 World Cup were Panama, Under-17 world champions Mexico, as well as Honduras.

Panama defeated Trinidad & Tobago 4-2, and Honduras sprung a 3-1 surprise on United States, while the Mexicans surged to a 2-0 blanking of Guatemala.