Interim head coach Xavier Gilbert expressed his satisfaction with the efficiency of his Reggae Girlz, regardless of settling for a 2-2 draw in opposition to Guatemala within the CONCACAF Ladies’s Gold Cup Qualifiers. The match happened at Kingston’s Nationwide Stadium and marked Jamaica’s first level in two video games in Group B.
Within the present standings, Panama leads the three-team group with six factors from three video games, whereas Guatemala has collected 4 factors from three video games. The group winner secures a direct berth to the Gold Cup, whereas the second-place group enters a play-off that includes matchups between the three three-team League A and the winners of the three four-team teams from League B. These play-off victors additionally safe extra spots within the Ladies’s Gold Cup.
The subsequent essential matches for Jamaica are scheduled for November 29, after they host Panama, and December 3, after they go to Guatemala.
Gilbert acknowledged in the course of the post-game press convention, “The plan was to get one thing out of the sport, which we did. Sadly, we didn’t stroll away with all three factors, however [I’m] nonetheless comfortable and pleased with the way in which the women carried out tonight. We created some alternatives and may have been a little bit bit extra composed in entrance of aim, however such is the character of the sport. Proud of no less than coming away with a degree.”
Aggressive and attacking method
Guatemala displayed an aggressive and attacking method from the beginning. They missed a golden likelihood to open the scoring when Savianna Gomez’s left-footed shot went large after she broke via the Jamaican protection within the first quarter-hour.
Jamaican protection did not study from this scare, and their try to dribble out of protection led to a counter-attack, leading to a nook. Within the twenty eighth minute, Leslie Ramirez lobbed Jamaica’s diminutive goalkeeper Aliyah Morgan, giving Guatemala the lead.
Nevertheless, 4 minutes later, Jamaica equalized when Melissa Johnson capitalized on a protracted move to poke the ball previous Guatemala’s goalkeeper, Alexia Estrada.
Seven minutes into the second half, Jamaica took the lead when Zoe Vidaurre scored left-footed from a scramble contained in the penalty space.
Sensible Anna Martinez
Guatemala managed to stage the rating three minutes later, due to an excellent effort from captain Ana Martinez, who arrange Aisha Salozano for the aim.
Regardless of creating a number of probabilities to regain the lead and safe all three factors, Jamaica was unable to capitalize, with Alika Keene even hanging the upright within the seventieth minute.
On the finish of the match, Gilbert counseled the gamers for his or her dedication in difficult circumstances, saying, “I have to give credit score to all of those women who answered the decision and got here out and represented themselves nicely, and represented Jamaica nicely. Tough time, troublesome circumstances assembling days and hours earlier than video games, they usually gave it their all. I’m very proud and pleased with the way in which they executed.”
Skilled participant Marlo Sweatman, a member of the 2019 Reggae Girlz squad on the France World Cup, performed a pivotal function in a lot of the group’s attacking performs. She was entrusted with the captain’s armband when Chinyelu Asher left the sphere within the 77th minute. Sweatman expressed her pleasure on the honor and her dedication to representing Jamaica, saying, “It’s all the time an honor to be residence and enjoying for Jamaica, and it’s much more wonderful to finish the sport because the captain. I’m very comfortable to be again, and I loved my time. Undoubtedly not troublesome in any respect. I feel that as knowledgeable, any time my title known as to play for the Jamaica nationwide group, I’m very happy to characterize. I like my nation, and it wasn’t a troublesome determination in any respect.”
The match’s line-up
Jamaica – Aliyah Morgan, Malikae Dayes, Lauren Reid, Chinyelu Asher (Natoya Atkinson 77th), Marlo Sweatman, Melissa Johnson, Ricshya Walker (Shanise Foster 57th), Mikayla Dayes (Christine Salmon 77th), Alika Keene, Zoe Vidaurre, Davia Richards
Guatemala – Alexia Estrada, Michelle Ruano, Leslie Ramirez (Karen Gonzalez forty sixth), Elisa Taxaj, Savianna Gomez, Aisha Solozano, Madelyn Ventura (Yareni Rosales 71st), Jemery Myvett, Sandra Ovando, Vivian Montenegro, Ana Martinez
- Referee: Diana Perez (Mexico)
- First assistant referee: Jessica Morales (Mexico)
- Second assistant referee: Carolyn Briones (Mexico)
- Fourth Official: Priscila Perez (Mexico)
- Referee assessor: Mauricio Navarro (Canada)
- Match commissioner: Shequila Parson (Bermuda)
