Jamaica seeks redemption in opposition to Guatemala in Ladies’s Gold Cup Qualifiers

Jamaica’s nationwide ladies’s soccer staff, often called the Reggae Girlz, is set to bounce again from their current 1-2 loss to Panama as they put together to face Guatemala in Group B of the CONCACAF Ladies’s Gold Cup qualifiers.

The match is scheduled to happen on Sunday at Kingston’s Nationwide Stadium, with kick-off set for five:00 pm (Jamaica time).

Of their earlier outing, the under-strength Jamaican staff displayed nice willpower however finally succumbed to a 1-2 defeat in opposition to Panama on international soil. This outcome presently locations Jamaica on the backside of the three-team factors desk in Group B. The group standings present Panama main with six factors from three video games, adopted by Guatemala with three factors from two video games, whereas Jamaica has but to safe some extent from a single recreation.

Panama’s journey on this competitors has been eventful, defeating Guatemala 3-0 in Guatemala earlier than struggling a 2-3 loss to the identical opponents at house in the course of the September window. The ultimate spherical of fixtures, that includes Jamaica in opposition to Panama and Guatemala, is scheduled for November 29 and December 3, respectively.

6 groups already certified for W Gold Cup

It’s value noting that the USA and Canada have already secured their spots within the Ladies’s Gold Cup via victories within the CONCACAF Ladies’s Championship and the CONCACAF Olympic Video games Play-in, respectively. Moreover, the highest 4 groups from the 2022 Copa America Femenina—Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay—have additionally secured berths within the Gold Cup.

League A, the place these qualifiers happen, is split into three three-team teams. The group winners will mechanically earn tickets to the Ladies’s Gold Cup, whereas the runners-up will enter the play-offs. These play-offs will function matchups with the winners of three four-team teams from League B, with the play-off victors securing extra spots within the Ladies’s Gold Cup.

Regardless of their opening defeat, Jamaica stays in competition for Gold Cup qualification. A victory within the upcoming match in opposition to Guatemala may considerably bolster their probabilities.

Xavier Gilbert, the interim head coach appointed after the non-renewal of Lorne Donaldson’s contract, is optimistic about his staff’s prospects. He acknowledged the problem forward and talked about, “I believe the women can bounce again, however it’s going to be a tricky encounter just like what we skilled in opposition to Panama. I believe the women are in a significantly better place after getting the primary recreation out of the way in which, and we managed to get an additional session in with everyone, in order that was good.”

Stronger squad

The Jamaican staff returned to their house nation on Thursday and performed observe classes on Friday night and Saturday morning. Gilbert emphasised the significance of nullifying Guatemala’s strengths, highlighting their offensive capabilities and penchant for long-range pictures.

To bolster their squad, Jamaica has added veteran midfielder Marlo Sweatman and Shaniel Buckley, the latter being referred to as up from the staff taking part within the Pan American Video games in Chile. Marlo Sweatman, a 28-year-old World Cup veteran presently enjoying in Hungary, is predicted to carry expertise to the midfield alongside staff captain Chinyelu Asher.

Sweatman expressed her pleasure about becoming a member of the staff, stating, “I’m very pleased to be right here. I’ve been enjoying attacking midfield and scoring lots of targets, and I really feel like I’m in good kind.”

Of their earlier match in opposition to Panama, right-winger Ricshya Walker scored Jamaica’s solely objective and is predicted to be a major risk within the upcoming recreation, together with Buckley and Mikayla Dayes.

On the opposite aspect, Guatemala will look to Ana Martinez for inspiration. She had a brace of their victory over Panama, whereas Maria Monterroso scored the opposite objective. Leslie Ramirez additionally posed a problem for Panama with quite a few pictures on track, whereas goalkeeper Alexia Estrada made a powerful 12 saves and 5 clearances over the 2 legs.

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