Check out the full schedule, results and standings for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
It’s exactly the start that Canada needed in its quest to reach the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
In its opener at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Jamaica, Canada defeated Haiti 3-1 on Saturday night. Toronto FC’s Jordan Hamilton scored twice for Canada, while Michael Petrasso converted a second-half penalty.
Canada established the momentum early, with Hamilton scoring twice within the opening 17 minutes. The young Reds applied more pressure, with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sam Adekugbe and Petrasso looking particularly dangerous down the left side.
But Haiti got a goal back before the half, when Whitecaps goalkeeper Marco Carducci couldn’t cleanly handle a free kick, which allowed Haiti’s Jonel Desire to capitalize. The game sat at 2-1 going into halftime.
Canada regained its two-goal advantage midway through the second half. Midfielder Marco Bustos weaved into the penalty area and was taken down, giving Petrasso the chance to coolly slot home the spot kick.
The score could have been more lopsided, as Canada created numerous chances and had multiple penalty shouts ignored by the referee. But in the end, the result was enough to get Canada’s campaign going on a positive note.
Elsewhere in Group B on Saturday, Mexico thumped Cuba 9-1 while Honduras and El Salvador played to a 2-2 draw. The group winner qualifies for the World Cup, while the second- and third-place finishers enter a one-game playoff for a berth in New Zealand 2015.
Canada will face a much stiffer test in its next group-stage game, against Mexico on Monday afternoon.
