Young Girlz hunt last four spot - Under-20 team faces hosts in quarter finals of Concacaf Women’s Championship

Jamaica’s young Reggae Girlz will seek to take another step closer towards the Under 20 Women’s World Cup when they face host nation the Dominican Republic in the quarter finals of the Under 20 Concacaf Women’s Championship today at noon.

The Under 20 Girlz battered Bermuda 9-1 in their round of 16 game last Saturday en route to the last eight and have had three days since the match to recharge for the upcoming game. Head coach Xavier Gilbert says that he does not expect the break to slow down their momentum. According to him the break came at an opportune time for the team. “The break was well needed. When you look at the games and the quick turnaround time for games, the break was really needed to recover and recharge and get back some energy,” Gilbert told The Gleaner.

Reggae Girlz captain Jody Brown had a standout performance against Bermuda scoring four of Jamaica’s nine goals, while Chantelle Parker, Nevillegail Able, Lacey Murray and second half substitute Sydoney Clarke added to the scoresheet as Jamaica ran riot over the Bermudans in the second half. Gilbert said that he was pleased with how the team performed, especially enduring a period of pressure in the first half when Bermuda cut the deficit to one in the 26th minute. “It was a very good performance. We started off well. Took control of the game earlier but I thought we got a little bit complacent or too relaxed hence letting them in the game,” he said. “In the second half we made the necessary adjustments and the girls just put the game beyond them.”

Brown’s four goals vaulted her into a tie for second place in the golden boot race with eight goals for the tournament along with Mia Fishel of the United States. Both are two goals behind leader Melchie Dumornay from Haiti. The 17-year-old Brown has not stopped her goal scoring run having got on the score sheet in all four games played. Additionally players such as Murray, Marlee Fray and Parker have all helped to balance the goal scoring load. This has really pleased Gilbert. “We are getting goals from all angles. Offensively, we are very good,” he said.

Only two places are guaranteed for the Under 20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica and Panama in August and should Jamaica prevail this afternoon, they will face a massive final hurdle against a Concacaf heavyweight in either the United States or Canada in the semi-finals.

- D.W.