Action from the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship match between Panama (white jersey) and Canada on March 12, 2015, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Photo: Mexsport)

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – A first half goal by Damaso Santos lifted Panama to a 1-0 win over Canada (3-1-1, 10 points, +4 goal difference) in the final match of the group stage in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship (CU17) at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

Panama (3-0-2, 9 points), which had already been eliminated from contention, complicated Canada’s chances of clinching a berth in the next FIFA U-17 World Cup.  The Canadians could have secured the Group B title with a win, but will now face Costa Rica (3-1-1, 10 points, +8) in one of two single-game playoffs on Sunday for a place at Chile 2015.  The United States (3-1-1, 10 points, +9) will square off against Jamaica (3-1-1, 10 points, +4) in the other decisive encounter. 

Mexico (3-2-0, 11 points), which drew 1-1 with the Costa Ricans earlier in the day, ended up topping the table to secure the Confederation’s second World Cup ticket and set-up a meeting with host Honduras in the CU17 final, also on Sunday at the Estadio Francisco Morazan. 

After a near miss by Canada midfielder Tristan Borges early in the match, Panama took the lead on nine minutes.  Leandro Avila made a long and industrious run through the midfield before playing a perfect ball behind the Canadian defense to Santos.  The Sporting SM forward took a few touches into the box and slotted a shot from 14-yards out to the left of Canada goalkeeper Luciano Trasolini. 

Santos nearly had a second in the 16th minute, when he latched onto a deflected ball only to see his long-range attempt sail over the crossbar. 

Three minutes later, a low effort from Canada’s Aidan Daniels effort glanced off the post.

The Canadians did find the back of the net in the 33rd minute, but midfielder Ballou Tabla was whistled for a hand ball before depositing a shot into the net. 

Shortly afterwards, Panamanian midfielder Carlos Kirton fired a shot off the crossbar from distance. 

In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Avila had a goal disallowed for offside. 

Canada had few chances to equalize after the break and will look to regroup on Sunday.