Girlz to dedicate next match to Shaw

Assistant coach Ak Lakhani says .Jamaica's Reggae Girlz intend to dedicate their next FIFA Women's World Cup match against Panama on Saturday to captain Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw.

Shaw was ejected from Jamaica's opening World Cup game against France yesterday after picking up a second yellow card in time added after a sliding challenge on a France defender. She will be suspended for the next game.

Lakhani revealed that the Jamaica camp had planned to appeal the dismissal but were told that the red came after two cautions and an appeal would not be allowed.

Nevertheless, he said they intend to win the match for their highly respected captain.

"She was phenomenal. She was an outstanding leader today (Sunday) as she has been since I have worked with her.

"She is a great person and a great leader, and with someone with that much passion, we want to dedicate the next match to her," he said.

Lakhani, who is a recent addition since Lorne Donaldson returned to coach the team last June, also believes the bond the players share is a big reason for their outstanding performance against France, which earned them their first ever point in their second World Cup tournament.

"They (France) have very good players, and they are a nation that is very renowned in the history of the game. But do not count out Jamaica because we, too, have fantastic players. We have something special when it comes to this group of players. They will fight to the death for each other and for the badge and the country."

He noted that they have been preparing for this game from the draw was made last October and he thought they even had opportunities to make more of the game but could not make use of the breaks they got.

"We placed the game plan on where they are strong and tried to nullify it and exploit them where we can, where we are strong. And in spells, we really had some good chances on the break to hit them. We wanted three points, but that is the focus now. We want to win the next two games. That is our aim," he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today's games

Group G

1 a.m: Italy vs Argentina

Group H

3:30 a.m: Germany vs Morocco

Group F

6 a.m: Brazil vs Panama

Group H

9 p.m: Colombia vs South Korea