Jamaica’s nationwide ladies’s soccer staff, often known as the Reggae Girlz, is decided to bounce again from their current 1-2 loss to Panama as they put together to face Guatemala in Group B of the CONCACAF Ladies’s Gold Cup qualifiers.
The match is scheduled to happen on Sunday at Kingston’s Nationwide Stadium, with kick-off set for five:00 pm (Jamaica time).
Of their earlier outing, the under-strength Jamaican staff displayed nice dedication however in the end succumbed to a 1-2 defeat in opposition to Panama on international soil. This end result presently locations Jamaica on the backside of the three-team factors desk in Group B. The group standings present Panama main with six factors from three video games, adopted by Guatemala with three factors from two video games, whereas Jamaica has but to safe a degree from a single sport.
Panama’s journey on this competitors has been eventful, defeating Guatemala 3-0 in Guatemala earlier than struggling a 2-3 loss to the identical opponents at residence through the September window. The ultimate spherical of fixtures, that includes Jamaica in opposition to Panama and Guatemala, is scheduled for November 29 and December 3, respectively.
6 groups already certified for W Gold Cup
It’s value noting that the USA and Canada have already secured their spots within the Ladies’s Gold Cup by way of victories within the CONCACAF Ladies’s Championship and the CONCACAF Olympic Video games Play-in, respectively. Moreover, the highest 4 groups from the 2022 Copa America Femenina—Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay—have additionally secured berths within the Gold Cup.
League A, the place these qualifiers happen, is split into three three-team teams. The group winners will robotically earn tickets to the Ladies’s Gold Cup, whereas the runners-up will enter the play-offs. These play-offs will function matchups with the winners of three four-team teams from League B, with the play-off victors securing further spots within the Ladies’s Gold Cup.
Regardless of their opening defeat, Jamaica stays in competition for Gold Cup qualification. A victory within the upcoming match in opposition to Guatemala might considerably bolster their possibilities.
Xavier Gilbert, the interim head coach appointed after the non-renewal of Lorne Donaldson’s contract, is optimistic about his staff’s prospects. He acknowledged the problem forward and talked about, “I believe the women can bounce again, however it’ll be a tricky encounter much like what we skilled in opposition to Panama. I believe the women are in a a lot better place after getting the primary sport out of the way in which, and we managed to get an additional session in with all people, in order that was good.”
Stronger squad
The Jamaican staff returned to their residence nation on Thursday and carried out apply classes on Friday night and Saturday morning. Gilbert emphasised the significance of nullifying Guatemala’s strengths, highlighting their offensive capabilities and penchant for long-range photographs.
To bolster their squad, Jamaica has added veteran midfielder Marlo Sweatman and Shaniel Buckley, the latter being known as up from the staff taking part within the Pan American Video games in Chile. Marlo Sweatman, a 28-year-old World Cup veteran presently enjoying in Hungary, is predicted to carry expertise to the midfield alongside staff captain Chinyelu Asher.
Sweatman expressed her pleasure about becoming a member of the staff, stating, “I’m very blissful to be right here. I’ve been enjoying attacking midfield and scoring quite a lot of targets, and I really feel like I’m in good type.”
Of their earlier match in opposition to Panama, right-winger Ricshya Walker scored Jamaica’s solely aim and is predicted to be a big menace within the upcoming sport, together with Buckley and Mikayla Dayes.
On the opposite facet, Guatemala will look to Ana Martinez for inspiration. She had a brace of their victory over Panama, whereas Maria Monterroso scored the opposite aim. Leslie Ramirez additionally posed a problem for Panama with quite a few photographs on track, whereas goalkeeper Alexia Estrada made a powerful 12 saves and 5 clearances over the 2 legs.
