Coach Xavier Gilbert praises Jamaica’s efficiency in 2-2 draw with Guatemala
Interim head coach Xavier Gilbert expressed his satisfaction with the efficiency of his Reggae Girlz, regardless of settling for a 2-2 draw towards Guatemala within the CONCACAF Girls’s Gold Cup Qualifiers. The match befell at Kingston’s Nationwide Stadium and marked Jamaica’s first level in two video games in Group B.
Within the present standings, Panama leads the three-team group with six factors from three video games, whereas Guatemala has gathered 4 factors from three video games. The group winner secures a direct berth to the Gold Cup, whereas the second-place staff enters a play-off that includes matchups between the three three-team League A and the winners of the three four-team teams from League B. These play-off victors additionally safe further spots within the Girls’s Gold Cup.
The following essential matches for Jamaica are scheduled for November 29, once they host Panama, and December 3, once they go to Guatemala.
Gilbert said in the course of the post-game press convention, “The plan was to get one thing out of the sport, which we did. Sadly, we didn’t stroll away with all three factors, however [I’m] nonetheless blissful and happy with the best way the ladies carried out tonight. We created some alternatives and may have been just a little bit extra composed in entrance of purpose, however such is the character of the sport. Pleased with not less than coming away with a degree.”
Aggressive and attacking method
Guatemala displayed an aggressive and attacking method from the beginning. They missed a golden probability to open the scoring when Savianna Gomez’s left-footed shot went extensive after she broke by means of the Jamaican protection within the first quarter-hour.
Jamaican protection didn’t be taught from this scare, and their try to dribble out of protection led to a counter-attack, leading to a nook. Within the twenty eighth minute, Leslie Ramirez lobbed Jamaica’s diminutive goalkeeper Aliyah Morgan, giving Guatemala the lead.
Nonetheless, 4 minutes later, Jamaica equalized when Melissa Johnson capitalized on an extended cross to poke the ball previous Guatemala’s goalkeeper, Alexia Estrada.
Seven minutes into the second half, Jamaica took the lead when Zoe Vidaurre scored left-footed from a scramble contained in the penalty space.
Sensible Anna Martinez
Guatemala managed to degree the rating three minutes later, due to an excellent effort from captain Ana Martinez, who arrange Aisha Salozano for the purpose.
Regardless of creating a number of possibilities to regain the lead and safe all three factors, Jamaica was unable to capitalize, with Alika Keene even putting the upright within the seventieth minute.
On the finish of the match, Gilbert counseled the gamers for his or her dedication in difficult circumstances, saying, “I need to give credit score to all of those girls who answered the decision and got here out and represented themselves nicely, and represented Jamaica nicely. Troublesome time, tough circumstances assembling days and hours earlier than video games, they usually gave it their all. I’m very proud and pleased with the best way they executed.”
Skilled participant Marlo Sweatman, a member of the 2019 Reggae Girlz squad on the France World Cup, performed a pivotal function in many of the staff’s attacking performs. She was entrusted with the captain’s armband when Chinyelu Asher left the sector within the 77th minute. Sweatman expressed her pleasure on the honor and her dedication to representing Jamaica, saying, “It’s all the time an honor to be house and taking part in for Jamaica, and it’s much more superb to finish the sport because the captain. I’m very blissful to be again, and I loved my time. Undoubtedly not tough in any respect. I believe that as an expert, any time my identify is known as to play for the Jamaica nationwide staff, I’m more than pleased to signify. I really like my nation, and it wasn’t a tough resolution in any respect.”
The match’s line-up
Jamaica – Aliyah Morgan, Malikae Dayes, Lauren Reid, Chinyelu Asher (Natoya Atkinson 77th), Marlo Sweatman, Melissa Johnson, Ricshya Walker (Shanise Foster 57th), Mikayla Dayes (Christine Salmon 77th), Alika Keene, Zoe Vidaurre, Davia Richards
Guatemala – Alexia Estrada, Michelle Ruano, Leslie Ramirez (Karen Gonzalez forty sixth), Elisa Taxaj, Savianna Gomez, Aisha Solozano, Madelyn Ventura (Yareni Rosales 71st), Jemery Myvett, Sandra Ovando, Vivian Montenegro, Ana Martinez
- Referee: Diana Perez (Mexico)
- First assistant referee: Jessica Morales (Mexico)
- Second assistant referee: Carolyn Briones (Mexico)
- Fourth Official: Priscila Perez (Mexico)
- Referee assessor: Mauricio Navarro (Canada)
- Match commissioner: Shequila Parson (Bermuda)