The result was an improvement on a 4-1 triumph over Puerto Rico in their opening group fixture on October 16. It also snapped a three-game losing streak for the host nation. But the more important matches were played late yesterday evening as Canada and the United States battled for the final Singapore 2009 Junior World Cup place, while Argentina and Chile, who have already qualified for the World Cup, fought for Pan Am gold medals.

Only a handful of supporters turned up to see T&T's final outing and they might have feared the worse when Puerto Rico scored first, through Manuel Fernandez, after just eight minutes.

"T&T play for your country," urged one female supporter in the stands. "Let's play hard."

Winger Mickel Pierre, a Defence Force player, has rarely been short on effort throughout the tournament, although his response was particularly emphatic.

Pierre, the national vice-captain, managed a quickfire double before the interval-the second was a cracking volley-and two more after the resumption for a beaver-trick as Puerto Rico wilted.

Captain and utility player Akim Toussaint was allowed to leave his post in central defence to join the offence and banged home the fifth in the 54th minute, before Evan Farrell completed the rout with a 58th minute strike. The result left Puerto Rico in eighth place.

Earlier, Brazil secured the ninth spot with a 3-0 win over Jamaica. Goalless at the break, Patrick Heijden put the South Americans ahead from open play in the 41st minute and, a minute later, Yuri Heijden doubled their advantage with a penalty stroke. Rogerio Cantarino added gloss to the scoreline with a final item in the 51st minute.

Jamaica finished tenth with Guyana last of the 11 participating teams.

Barbados were the highest placed Caribbean team as they ended sixth after a 4-2 loss to fifth-placed Mexico yesterday.

Barbadian captain Dario Jordan scored twice, but doubles from Ishmael Enriquez and Francisco Montoya ensured a closing day win for the entertaining North American team.