JAMAICA WIN, VENEZUELA FINISH LAST

Jamaica defeated Venezuela 3-0 in the first match of the ninth round of the eighth men's Pan-American Junior Championship, which is being held at the Antonio Maceo stadium in Santiago de Las Vegas, 25 kilometres South from La Havana.

This tournament will qualify the top three for the World Junior Cup to take place from June 26 to July 10 in Rotterdam, Holland.

With this defeat, Venezuela finished in the last position of the tournament without scoring, but receiving 96 goals against.

Meanwhile, Jamaica will play on Saturday at 1.30pm local time, against Puerto Rico to decide the ninth and 10th posts.

Jamaica's goals were netted by Jerome Davis, in the seventh minute; David East, in the 13th, and André Gardiner, in the 44th minute.

Venezuela had the chance of scoring their first goal, through a penalty stroke, but their captain Stefan Kaise shot wide, in the 60th minute.

Jamaica: Duncan; Jones, McGlashen, Levy, R. Smith; East, K. Smith, Burke; Gardiner, Davis and Beach. Also played: Fisher, Marshall, Kelly, Beckford and Wheatley. Coach: Michael Broadber.

Venezuela: Quiñones; Jones, Gutiérrez, Lizardi, Galavis; Gamboa, S. Kaiser, Serrano; Tovar, Guilarte and Alvizu. Also played: Tuset, Rodríguez and R. Kaiser. Coach: Lucas Piccioli.

Umpires: Roger Broomes (Barbados) and Daniel Gonzáles (Peru).

Booking - Green: Galavis (V).

VICTORY FOR CUBA, PLAY FOR FIFTH PLACE

Cuba defeated Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 to face Canada, on Sunday at 9am, for the fifth place of the eighth men's Pan-American Junior tournament.

Though Cuba went to half-time leading 2-0, both sides produced good scoring options, but Cuba was more precise and efective in front of their rivals goal.

On the other hand, the Cubans defended the corner very well, preventing Wayne Legerton's lethal shot.

Alberto Díaz, in the 10th minute, from a corner deflection, and Iván Makenci, in the 26th minute, scored for the hosts in the first half.

Cuba dominated the second half, while Trinidad & Tobago counter-attacked, but without harming their rivals.

The home side increased the lead, in the 40th minute, through Ricardo Dieguez.

From then on, Cuba kept control of play until the final whistle.

Cuba: Hernández; Barzaga, Caballero, Aguilera, Y. González; J. González, Olivares, Risquet; Alberto Díaz, Makenci and Quirola. Also played: R. Díaz, Dieguez, D'Wong and Herrera. Coach: Yumai Oliva.

Trinidad & Tobago: Thompson; Cupid, Graham, Rambaran, Hume; Henderson, Cowie, Luces; Bodkin, Legerton and Murray. Also played: Baptiste, Toussaint, Craig and Pierre. Coach: Richard Quan Chan.

Umpires: Javier Palomo (Mexico) and Germán Montes de Oca (Argentina).

Booking - Yellow cards: 62m, Herrera (C); Cowie (T&T); Gutiérrez (C). Green cards: 12m, Y. González (C).

CANADA STRUGGLE TO BEAT BARBADOS

After Canada's dominance during the first 35 minutes, the North Americans had to struggle to defeat Barbados 5-3 in the last match of the ninth day.

After few minutes, Canada kept the pace gaining midfield and reaching their rival's circle dangerously.

Then, Canadians opened the score - in the 10th minute - from a powerful shot by Scott Tupper. Four minutes later, Philip Wright, put his team 2-0 ahead after deflecting a cross.

In the 15th minute, Canada increased the lead to 3-0 from another deflection by Mark Pearson.

Jonathan Roberts netted the fourth, in the 27th minute.

The match became exciting after half-time as Barbados reacted tightening their marks in midfield and in the back row.

Thus, they closed the gap - in the 44th minute - through Aaron Forde from a penalty corner deflection. But three minutes later, Canada took a 5-1 by Philip Wright again.

Barbados scored again from Paul Harding, in the 52nd, and a minute later, the Caribbean team missed an excellent opportunity to score their third, when Richard Hildreth was blocked inside the circle, but the penalty stroke shot by Jamar Small was wide.

However, Barbados did not give up, and led by Forde, netted his third goal for the 3-5, in the 62nd minute. But their efforts were not enough and Canada took a deserved victory.

Barbados: Francis; Henry, Puckerin, Payne, Small; Jules, Forde, Harding; Davis, Hutson and Jordan. Also played: Griffith, Phillips, Franklin and Rice. Coach: Peter Chase.

Canada: Robertson; Hobkirk, A. Wright, Roberts, Joseph; Hildreth, P. Wright, Tupper; Pearson, Jameson and P. Wright. Also played: H. Virdi, D'Almeida and J. Virdi. Coach: Giles Wheatley.

Umpires: Armando Bajares (Venezuela) and Kim Hong Lae (Korea).