Barbados escaped Under-17 world champions Mexico and favourites United States in the draw of the CONCACAF finals held in Panama City yesterday morning.
The first-time finalists were pooled in Group A along with host country Panama and Jamaica for the competition, which starts on April 6 and concludes on April 19, 2013.
The ceremony, which was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Panama City, hosted delegates from the twelve qualifying nations, which comprise Barbados, Panama, Jamaica, Canada, Costa Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Honduras and Cuba.
Barbados’ first match will be on April 8 against Jamaica at the Muquita Sanchez Stadium followed by Panama two days later at the same stadium. Jamaica will open the tournament against Panama on April 6.
Barbados Football Association president Randy Harris welcomed the draw and fancied the team’s chances against Jamaica and Panama:
“We got lucky. We are able to avoid the US, Mexico, the World champions and Canada, so I am feeling good,” said manager of the Under-17 team, Dave Small, who was also present for the draw.
“I am satisfied with the draw and believe it is favourable to us. I think we will do well.”
The top four teams in each continental group (Asia, Africa, South America, Oceania, Europe and CONCACAF) will go on to the Under-17 World Cup finals, to be held in the United Arab Emirates later this year.
The CONCACAF groupings are as follows.
Group A: Panama, Barbados, Jamaica,
Group B: Canada, Costa Rico, Trinidad and Tobago
Group C: United States, Guatemala, Haiti
Group D: Mexico, Honduras, Cuba (PR/SAT)