Reggae Boy Ricardo Fuller is tackled by Canada's Marcel DeJong in Jamaica's crucial World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium last night. Jamaica won the game 3-0 but still failed to advance to the next round. - ian Allen

JAMAICA last night paid the price for Brazilian coach Rene Simoes' poor team selections, completing three consecutive home wins with a 3-0 thrashing of Canada but still failed to reach the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

A Mexican own-goal, turned in by Ricardo Osorio in their away match in San Pedro Sula, handed Honduras a 1-0 win and a spot for both teams in the final round, conspiring with Simoes' stubbornness - using inexperienced players in the first three semi-final round games from which the Reggae Boyz earned just one point.

Luton Shelton's 28th minute opening goal, followed by Marlon King's 56th minute penalty and substitute Omar Cummings' late 85th minute goal, capped a disappointing night for the Reggae Boyz, who earned a meaningless victory, falling at least four goals short of stealing Mexico's spot in the final round.

Honduras topped the group with 12 points and a plus-four goal average whereas Mexico joined them in the final round with as many points as Jamaica, 10, but a superior plus-three goal difference to Jamaica's zero.

Head-to-head meetings

Even if the Reggae Boyz had won last night's match 6-0 and tied the Mexican's plus-three goal difference, the decision would go down to head-to-head meetings, which the team's shared one victory apiece, before goals scored against each other would be taken into consideration - another plus for Mexico, who had beaten Jamaica 3-0 in the Azteca before the Boyz exacted a 1-0 revenge win at home.

Both Mexican and Honduran fans in San Pedro Sula were closely monitoring Jamaica's showdown with Canada, posting comments on FIFA's play-by-play MatchCast on the Internet:

"The final whistle sounds. 90' +4 That's how it ends. Mexico will need to improve if they want to reach South Africa 2010. But their boss will be pleased to have reached the final round along with Honduras.

"Spare a thought for Jamaica, though, as their football, in the later stages of the round, was nothing short of inspiring," came the final word out of Honduras, applauding the Theodore Whitmore-coached Reggae Boyz, who went down battling to the very end with 1-0 home victories over Honduras and Mexico to have a fighting chance in last night's final match.

Powerful header

The Boyz took some time to settle in their 3-4-3 formation and got two chances in as many minutes before Shelton opened the scoring.

The Boyz could have led in the 21st minute when Demar Phillips's square from the left was met by Ricardo Fuller at the back post but his powerful header was held low by the Canadian keeper.

Shelton hit the crossbar in the 23rd minute but made no mistake five minutes later, coolly finishing a sweet through ball from Phillips out of midfield, stepping around the advancing goalkeeper to score into an empty goal.

Canada twice tested goalie Donovan Ricketts, diving to his left to parry striker Charles Gbeke's lunging header in the 31st minute. The lanky keeper was also full stretch three minutes later to tip Kevin Harmse's long range effort for a corner.

The Boyz were left cursing their luck when Rodolph Austin cracked a 41st minute free kick from 30 yards, hitting the crossbar. The rebound caught King by surprise, an aimless header, coming off the top of his head.

Canada started the second half looking more forceful but fell behind 2-0 off King's well-taken penalty after Phillips was tumbled in the box.

With news out of Honduras having the home team 1-0 up, Whitmore went to his bench, summoning Omar Cummings on for Ricardo Fuller in the 71st and Dane Richards for King in the 73rd.

Cummings slid in to make it 3-0 in the 85th off Goodison's pull back but it was already a lost cause with the Honduras-Mexico game headed for full time.

Reggae Boy captain Ricardo Gardner sprints away from Canada's Will Johnson in a World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium last night. Jamaica won the game 3-0 but still still fell short of qualifying for the final round. - ian allen