Jamaica face tall order

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's female hockey team will be seeking to level their best-of three series of the Pan American Games qualifiers against Caribbean neighbours Cuba when the countries meet at the Mona hockey field today, starting at 4 p.m.

The Dr Michelle Holt-coached Jamaicans trail 0-1 in the three-match series, after they were outclassed 3-0 by their Cuban counterparts in Thursday's opening match at the same venue.

DIFFICULT MATCH

Although there are two games remaining in the play-offs, Dr Holt frankly stated that it was going to be difficult for Jamaica.

"I think that it is going to be difficult because I think that the Cuban team is well prepared and they are the best team in the Caribbean," said Dr Holt. "It is going to be hard for Jamaica, who are ranked three levels below them, to come back."

She added: "However, we are playing at home and we have the crowd support behind us, and the girls have said that they are not going to drop their heads because they know that they can beat this Cuban team.

"I think that the team showed a lot of guts, but they have to be more confident in their play and take the game to the Cubans from the opening whistle," Dr Holt remarked.

Captain Dashnel Clarke, along Demi Nicholson, Kerry-Ann Russell and goalkeeper Therese McIntosh, who were the standout players for the Jamaicans in the opening match, will lead the charge for victory.

Meanwhile, Hilario Diaz, coach of Cuba, is confident that his team will register another victory.

"It was a good performance from us and I think we will win on Saturday," said Diaz.

The Cubans will be led by Marisble Sierra, who scored twice for her team in the second half of Thursday's match.

Sierra is expected to receive good support from Yuraima Vera, who scored the Cubans' opening goal, along with Helec Carta, Damnay Solis, Yordalia Duquernes and Maribel Garcia.

The third and final game will be played tomorrow at the same venue, starting at 4 p.m.

The winner of the series will qualify for the next year's Pan American Games, which will be held in Mexico.