Blaine out of time, depending on core group
Published:Thursday | February 17, 2022 | 12:09 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
WITH LITTLE time to forge solid defensive understanding, national senior women’s head coach Vin Blaine says he will look to his more experienced players to solidify the team for their opening World Cup qualifiers.
Blaine had the first chance to look at his squad on Tuesday in his first training session at Stadium East as the Reggae Girlz continued their preparations for today’s opener against Bermuda at the National Stadium at 6:00 p.m.
With the majority of the players arriving on the island on Monday and medicals and workouts occupying most of Tuesday’s itinerary, Blaine said that the focus was for them to get acclimatised, not just to being back home, but also to the system he wants them to play in. According to Blaine, there were things that need refining before today’s game.
“It is a lot of changing that we are doing but, basically, today [Tuesday] was just to get them playing and to get their feet wet. It is the first time that they have touched the ball since they have been here, so it was important for me to do that,” Blaine said.
“It’s just the organisation in defence that I want to see. How they approach the ball instead of selling themselves. Sort of stepping back a bit and allowing your teammate to help you. So that is one of the things I am paying attention to, how we look at the wings and the central part of the game.”
Two players, Mireya Grey and Alika Keene, arrived on Tuesday after missing their flights, giving the team the full complement of the 23 called.
While admitting that he is at a disadvantage with some players not being available to improve their defensive cohesion, Blaine says that he is depending on the experience of the core that went to the World Cup in 2019 to get them over the line.
“We know what we have. We have experience, we have players that have gone to the World Cup and have played at a high level. So we are hoping that experience will take us over the hump,” Blaine said.
BIG DECISIONS
Among the decisions that he will have to make are who will be the captain in the absence of centre back Konya Plummer and who will be starting in goal for the campaign.
Washington Spirit’s Syndey Schneider, who has been the number one, is facing competition from Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, who made her international debut last year, and Yazmeen Jamieson.
Blaine said Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s training sessions would settle the matter.
“(It’s dependent) on what I want for them because some of their footwork is good and some have good shot-blocking experience. I haven’t decided yet. I haven’t decided on a starting 11. Based on today [Tuesday] and then tomorrow, I’ll know exactly what I will do,” Blaine said.