• Submitted by: manso
• Sports
• 03 / 07 / 2011

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Haiti versus Costa Rica U17 Championship on day one, (Photo: CONCACAF).Haiti has withdrawn from the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in Western Jamaica after three of their players fell ill with malaria.

Other team members have exhibited symptoms of the illness, and the team is expected to return to Haiti as soon as possible.

Haiti lost their opening game in the tournament, 3-1 to Costa Rica, on Monday and was scheduled to face El Salvador on Wednesday.

That match was to be the first hosted by Jarrett Park in the tournament following the contest between Cuba and Panama.

Because of Haiti's withdrawal, El Salvador will be awarded a 3-0 win.

Little effect on JA team

Meanwhile, there is little concern about exposure to malaria from the Jamaicans, who played a practice match against the Haitians on February 6.

The team’s management says players have been on malaria medication since their camp in Brazil.

Dr. Guyan Arscott, Chairman of the Medical Committee of the Jamaica Football Federation, supports their stance, and expects the effect of the reported malaria cases at the tournament to be minimal.

He says officials and players, who have been exposed, are being treated by the Ministry of Health.

"I think it has happened early and therefore its effect on the tournament should be minimal".

El Salvador, Costa Rica & the US are quarter finalists

Meanwhile, Costa Rica, El Salvador and the United States are the first quarter finalists in the CONCACAF Under-17 World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

Costa Rica’s and El Salvador’s places were confirmed off the field following the withdrawal of the Haitian team after three of their players fell ill with malaria.

Haiti lost their opening game on Monday 3-1 to Costa Rica and was scheduled to face El Salvador Wednesday afternoon.

Costa Rica and El Salvador will meet on Friday to decide the group winner.

The United States, the only country that has qualified for every Under-17 (or U-16) World Cup, was not in action on Wednesday however, their quarter final spot was confirmed after Cuba and Panama played to a goalless draw in the second Group "B" game at Jarrett Park.

The Panamanians missed a second half penalty.

The Americans, who had defeated Cuba 3-1, will face Panama on Friday.

Source: http://rjrnewsonline.com/sports/cricket/malaria-forces-haiti-out-concaca...