Paul Clarke, Star Writer

Western Bureau: Host Jamaica were drawn in a tough group alongside storied rivals the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in Group A of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championships yesterday.

The draw, which took place at the Hilton Hotel in Montego Bay, St James, and which was carried live on FIFA-TV, signalled the true beginning of the journey to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand from May 30-June 20 next year, for the junior Reggae Boyz squad.

The tournament will be played across the two cities, Kingston, at the National Stadium, and at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, from which four teams will have an opportunity to qualify to the age-group World Cup.

Jamaica is joined in Group A by Trinidad, Panama Guatemala, the USA and debutants Aruba, which on paper, could be their easiest match of the qualifiers.

Defending champions Mexico were drawn in Group B and will face Haiti, North American team Canada, Cuba, Honduras and El Salvador.

There will be 16 days of competition all-told with the 12 countries broken down into two groups of six each.

The winners of each group will advance directly to the championship match and the title winners declared

The eventual champions and the runner-up would have secured qualification to the World Cup in New Zealand.

Two other qualifying spots will be decided between the second and third place of each group, which will go into one play-off match each to determine which countries qualify along with the finalists.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president. Captain Horace Burrell, yesterday said that the draw was a good one for Jamaica as it will force the players to add something special especially against tougher opponents like the United States.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for Jamaica, not just for hosting this qualifier, but to take our football product to the world," said Burrell.

"All the countries here are deserving of this opportunity, but as host it would be such a great achievement if we can qualify for this Under-20 World Cup," added Burrell.