Last-chance saloon Reggae Girlz confident
Published:Sunday | December 3, 2023 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA’S REGGAE Girlz have one chance of keeping their hopes alive for a place in the inaugural Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup next year when they take on Guatemala in their final League A, Group B qualifier at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores, in Guatemala on Sunday at 7 p.m.
However, coach Xavier Gilbert and captain Chinyelu Asher are confident of going to Central America and taking three points.
Both believe that based on the run of play in the first game, which ended 2-2, their chance of victory is high despite playing away.
Gilbert said the unit is much stronger this time around.
“I don’t think it is difficult. The last game we played, the amount of opportunities that we created. But we are also mindful of how they play, what they are going to do and what they have to offer in terms of personnel.
“We just have to nullify their strengths and continue to exploit the weaknesses we saw,” Gilbert commented.
“In terms of speed and depth, we have a better unit to attack the Guatemalans and the areas we look to exploit. We are already building on our chemistry. We have played three games now together and I think we are starting to gel a bit more. So that will be a very good advantage for us.”
Asher also hailed the improved chemistry the team is experiencing and believes that will make the difference along with the superior quality.
“We are just as confident. This group has shown a lot and has proven themselves a lot. It’s a young group but they have been very hungry and we are feeling confident that we can pull a win,” she stated.
Panama tops the group with seven points, while Guatemala hold second with four points and Jamaica sit at the foot of the three with two.
A win over Guatemala would secure the second spot for the Jamaicans with five points and would put them in the playoffs with two other League A runners-up against the three group winners from League B.
Still, Gilbert admits it would have been better to get a win against Panama on Wednesday and put themselves in a better position.
“I understand the dynamics. I understand the situation we are in and we are just going to give our all on Sunday.
“It is not just about winning away. We have to assess the teams. If you watch both games (against Panama and Guatemala), who do you think will be an easier opponent to beat? I fancy our chances more against the Guatemalans,” he declared.
Asher added that she intends to lead from the front as they go on the hunt for the win.
“We are not going to take Guatemala easy. They are going to come out strong but we definitely have what it takes to get some points there,” she stated.