World Cup-bound Girlz please coach
Published:Thursday | June 15, 2023 | 1:50 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
AFTER THREE days of a Reggae Girlz pre-World Cup training camp here on the island, coach Lorne Donaldson is delighted with what he has seen from the available players.
Twenty-four players were named to the training squad, which started training on the 11th and is scheduled to end on the 20th, and although Donaldson admitted that there is work to be done, especially on the tactical functions of the players, he is confident that they will have all the little details ironed out before the tournament starts of July 20.
“This is our first session and so far so good. The players are buying in. They are into it. Even though some of the players have a short break, everybody is showing the right attitude. The players who are here have been showing a lot of enthusiasm, and they think they deserve it, so they are pushing on, and I like what I see,” he said.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
He pointed to the finishing and tactical functions of the ladies as the key areas of improvement, but he believes there is time enough to resolves these issues.
“Finishing is always the last piece to come. For now, it’s just the runs and the service, but the runs were not good, and the service was not what we want. But we know that while we move along, we will have to start working on those things day in and day out, but we still have time to make it better.
“Even after we depart, we will have time to fix everything as you are not going to fix everything in one or two training sessions. They are all coming from different cultures, and we are trying to merge everything together,” said Donaldson.
“In certain areas of the field we need the ball in certain places. So the main things are the tactical and functional stuff right now. So technically, I think we are all right, but the tactical and functional things like where to put the ball and where to make the runs are the things we need to clean up.”
He noted also that some players not currently in the squad are still involved with their clubs and need more time before being released for national duties. However, he expects that those players will be fully prepared for what is expected of them when they enter the fold.
“A couple players, we left them back because they have games as we speak. Havana Salaun and Cheyna Matthews, they have games. We have talked to their coaches, and they are training and playing games, and those girls are always ready, so I am not too worried about them. But whether we have a game or not, I am very pleased with what I am seeing. I am very pleased with the girls and their reaction. I just want Jamaica to keep their heads high and cheer us on because we are going to go out there and fight for the colours.”