SAN PEDRO Sula, Honduras — Jamaica defeated fierce rivals Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) 5-1 in their Group A CONCACAF Under-17 Championship at the Estadio Francisco Morazan yesterday and moved a step closer to World Cup play-off berth.

Goals by Peter Vassell (39th), Nathaniel Adamolekun (45th+3), Tajea Brown (80th, 85th) and Donovan Dawkins (90th) pushed Jamaica to their second win in four games.

They moved to seven points, the same as second-placed Honduras, who were scheduled to play leaders the United States of America (USA) in a later kick-off. The USA lead with maximum nine points.

The Young Reggae Boyz moved three points clear of Guatemala, who were held goalless by Cuba, who moved to three points.

Following their impressive 5-1 whipping of Caribbean neighbours T&T, Jamaica has improved their goal difference to plus three, just behind Honduras with plus four, ahead of their late kick-off.

Jamaica’s Head Coach Andrew Edwards made three changes to the starting team, once again switching goalkeepers — bringing in Jahmali Waite for Akeem Chambers. Javain Brown made a return to the team at left back after serving a suspension, while Nicholas Nelson replaced Dawkins up front.

The Jamaicans made their intentions quite clear from early and were quicker to the ball, but they could have fallen behind in the eighth minute had Tekay Hoyce not mis-hit his shot.

Adamolekun was fouled by goalkeeper Levi Hernandez in the 20th minute and Canadian referee Drew Fisher pointed to the spot but later changed his decision after his Caymanian assistant signalled offside. But Jamaica would take the lead in the 39th minute courtesy of Vassell, who fired home from just outside the box.

That lead was short-lived as US-based Noah Powder pulled T&T level with a beautiful free kick in the 42rd minute.

But Adamolekun restored Jamaica’s advantage in added time of the first half, lobbing the advancing goalkeeper Levi Hernandez for his third goal of the championship.

Substitute Tajea Brown, who came on in the 67th minute for Nelson, grabbed a brace in the 80th and 85th minutes, before another substitute Dawkins put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute, turning in a Brown pass.