Jamaica's captain Dever Orgill (left) in a battle for possession with Canada's Marcus Johnstone in action from Saturday's CONCACAF Under-17 World Cup Group B qualifier at the National Stadium. Canada won 3-0. - photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Jamaica's Under-17 coach David Hunt said he is still very confident that his team will qualify for this year's World Cup tournament, despite their 3-0 defeat by Canada in the opening match in the Group B CONCACAF fixture at National Stadium on Saturday.

In the opening game of the double-header, Costa Rica defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2-0.

" It was a tough loss for us," said Hunt. He, however, added that the team had three more games to go and nine points can take them to the World Cup.

First game is history

"We still have to be very positive. We have to tell the players that the first game is history now, let us move on because we have a few days to prepare for our game against Costa Rica because we definitely need a good result against them," Hunt said.

Hunt also dismissed claims that some of the players were over-worked and tired prior to the start of the game. "I don't think that the players looked jaded because we were trying right up to the end, and a jaded team wouldn't have got so many opportunities in the second half of the game," Hunt said.

"I believe that the players tried their best and I must lift my hat off to them. I think that we would have to go back and look at some of the areas that we need to improve when we look at the film," Hunt explained.

Daniel Tannous gave the Canadian the lead in the third minute of the game when he headed home a right-sided free kick from William Hyde past custodian Oneil Wilson. Kenniel Hyde should have pulled the Jamaicans level a few minutes later but instead his point-blank shot went high over the crossbar.

Jarek Whiteman doubled Canada's lead three minutes before half-time when he pounced onto a rebound shot off the goalkeeper then calmly placed the ball into the net.

Jamaica came in the second half looking much the better side and created a number of scoring chances. Hyde's shot from close in hit the crossbar against the run of play. Jamaica's captain Dever Orgill found himself wide open at the back post but headed into the hands of the goalkeeper Adam Street.

Canada's William Hyde sealed the issue three minutes from time with a powerful shot which went like a rocket past Wilson at his near post.

TODAY'S GAMES: Canada versus Costa Rica at 5:00 p.m. Trinidad and Tobago versus U.S.A at 7:00 p.m.

Canada 3

Daniel Tannous 3rd

Jarek Whiteman 42nd

William Hyde 83rd

Jamaica 0