Jamaica’s young Reggae Girlz whipped Grenada 5-0 in their opening match at the 2015 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Under-20 Qualifying game at the Mindoo Philip Park yesterday.
It was a Sunday stroll in the park for the Jamaicans as they easily dispatched their Caribbean neighbours to take command of Group Two with some impressive playing of football.
Rasha Roberts started the ball rolling in the fourth minute, Captain [and former HVFC player] Khadija Shaw was brilliant in scoring a three-timer in the 47th, 57th and 90th+ minutes, and Asia Lee-Fatt got the other goal in the 88th minute.
From the first whistle it was all Jamaica. It didn’t take long before Roberts gave her team something to cheer about, as she received a well-taken corner from Konya Plummer and placed it wide of Kinda Lambert in the Grenada’s goal.
The Grenadians came close to levelling the score, but Shikkra Charles watched her powerful, swinging free kick hit Jamaica’s crossbar.
The young Girlz kept pressing on but failed to convert numerous chances as the first half finished 1-0.
The Grenadians didn’t improve on their defensive tactics in the second half and the Jamaicans charged at their goal. Shaw got an open run at the top of the 18-yard box and sent her shot past the diving Lambert in the 47th minute to give Jamaica their second.
Shaw wasn’t finished. Ten minutes later she got a rebound from teammate Keona Simmonds and converted easily for a comfortable 3-0 lead.
It then seemed the young Girlz were tiring as Grenada threatened their goal on numerous occasions but lacked the will to score.
Grenada’s defence was then breached in the 88th minute when substitute Lee-Fatt, who was left unmarked, found the back of net before Shaw got her third and Jamaica’s fifth seconds from full time.
“I have been working hard and I am just happy that I got the result. I am not 100 per cent (fit), but I am happy for the goals,” Shaw said.
Assistant Coach Xavier Gilbert said that he was happy with the team’s performance.
“Technically we are better; physically we are stronger and faster. I am happy with their performance and good show by Khadija Shaw on scoring three goals,” Gilbert told the Jamaica Observer.
Clarke John, Grenada’s coach, blamed his team’s defence for the loss.
“Too many defensive errors cost us today (yesterday). The girls were too wide at the back and I believe that contributed to the defeat,” he said.
The group games continue on Wednesday at the same venue when Grenada meet hosts St Lucia.
Source: The Jamaica Observer