Mexico played a superb tactical game before a capacity crowd of 42,000 at San Salvador’s Estadio Cuscatlan to defeat the hosts, 3-0, earning first place in Group B of the CONCACAF U-17 tournament. Consequently, Mexico earns one of the three berths assigned to CONCACAF to the finals of the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand in November. The winner of Group A, featuring the USA, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Honduras, will also advance to New Zealand ’99. Group A matches will be held Feb. 24-28 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. El Salvador, which finished second in Group B, will get a chance to earn the last berth to the FIFA tournament when it plays a deciding match against the second-place team in Group A.
CONCACAF U-17 World Cup Qualifying
GROUP B Feb. 10 in San Salvador El Salvador 6 (Melgar 2, Quintanilla 63, 68, Ochoa 87, Ramirez 89, 90) Trinidad & Tobago 1 (Westfield 76). Half: 1-0. Att.: 20,000. Mexico 4 (Vallejo 16, Estrada pen. 65, Galindo 77, Aguayo 82) Canada 0. Half: 1-0. Att.: 20,000. Feb. 12 in San Salvador Mexico 6 (Aguayo 40, R. Sanchez 49, 86, Moreno 56, H. Vallejo 67, 81) Trinidad & Tobago 2 (Durity 25, Wiltshire 28). Half: 1-2. Att.: 6,000. El Salvador 2 (Quintanilla 59, 81) Canada 0. Half: 0-0. Att.: 6,000. Feb. 14 in San Salvador Canada 6 (Humes 39, pen. 89, Obeidat 53, Cesari 82, 83, 90) Trinidad & Tobago 0. Half: 1-0. Att.: 20,000. El Salvador 0 Mexico 3 (R. Sanchez 19, Estrada 88, Moreno 90). Half: 0-1. Att.: 42,000. FINAL STANDINGS| TEAM | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | P |
| *Mexico | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 9 |
| **El Salvador | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
| Canada | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| T&T | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 0 |