Tired Jamaica team lands in Antigua

[Karl]

Tired Jamaica team lands in Antigua
Livingston Scott
Wednesday, November 21, 2007


St John's, Antigua - Jamaica's young Reggae Girlz arrived in Antigua late Monday evening for the inaugural FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup Qualifiers, exhausted after flying for almost 12 hours, having departed from the Norman Manley International Airport earlier in the day.

However, the team received some good news on their arrival as their first game has been pushed back to today from yesterday.

According to coach Junior Francis, the players will be able to get much more rest before their opening game.
"... That is good news because we can get the girls to rest a bit longer and then we'll have some time to get the lactic acids out of the legs before Wednesday's game," he added.

Francis said the original schedule seemed to have had an error.

The Girlz checked in at Norman Manley International Airport some time around 8:00 am and was greeted by Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and members of the Sunshine Girlz squad who were returning from the World Netball Championships in New Zealand.

They eventually departed at approximately 10 o'clock and arrived in Montego Bay half-an-hour later, where they were intransit for two-and-a-half hours awaiting a connecting flight to St Lucia, which took a further two-and-a-half hours.

The contingent arrived at St Lucia's Hewanorra Airport at 3:30 pm Jamaica time (4:30 St Lucia time) and travelled by bus for some 80 minutes across the St Lucian terrain before reaching George FL Charles (Vigie) Airport.

After another strenuous check-in at the airport, the Girlz were apparently tired and hungry, but head of delegation Elaine Walker-Brown and Francis kept things in order until they boarded the final plane for Antigua at 7:40 pm (Jamaica time).

[Karl]

Girlz ready for US Virgin Islands
FOOTBALL - Under-17 Qualifier
Wednesday, November 21, 2007


St John's, Antigua - After holding their first training session at the Antigua Recreation Ground yesterday, the young Reggae Girlz seemed even more confident of victory going into their opening U-17 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) World Cup Qualifier against the US Virgin Islands at the ARG today, starting at 1:30 pm (12:30 Jamaica time).

Coach Junior Francis took the Girlz through their paces, and worked on their passes, crosses and finishing, and despite some players still nursing minor injuries, he believes they will have very little trouble securing three points today.

"We had our first training session... but I could still see the jet-lag in the girls; they're still a bit tired.
"However, the training was done in a spirited mood, but we will send them to get more rest... so they will rest for the remainder of the evening, and come tomorrow they should be fresh a ready to go," said Francis after training.

Striker Carla Daniels suffered a minor injury during the session, as she slightly sprained one of her fingers while operating as a goalkeeper for a short while.
Jamaica's Under-17 female team poses with Minister of Sports Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (centre), at the Norman Manley International Airport en route to Antigua on Monday. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood)
However, Francis said it was not serious and she should be able to play despite that set-back.

"I put her in the goal to stop some balls and she accidentally hurt her finger, but that will not affect her game tomorrow (today), because she is actually an outfield player. So we're icing it and with a little deep heat on it, she should be good," he reassured.

Meanwhile, sweeper Mellisa Madden is still suffering from an ankle injury and will not play, which paves the way for Kessian Walker to do duties.
"Our reserve goalkeeper Olivia Reid is still nursing her ankle, but she will start on the bench, so that's not too much of a concern right now," Francis added.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) had issued the names of the delegation, with Dr Paul Wright as the team's doctor, but no doctor travelled with the Girlz.

But despite the minor set-backs, the Reno coach has no doubt the girls will start with a win.

"First and foremost we are going out there to claim the three points... We don't know anything about them, but we're not taking any team lightly. We'll be attacking from early and try to secure the win from the first-half," he said.

After the end of the training session the girls had a dress rehearsal, where they adorned their match gear, marched onto the pitch and sang the National Anthem.

This, head of delegation Elaine Walker-Brown said, was done in case of any unforeseen difficulties, as only Jodian Morris and Monique Pryce have had experience playing with the national team.

Meanwhile, US Virgin Islands coach, Yohannes Worebe, said his team is at a disadvantage as four of their more experienced players failed to travel with to Antigua. And they have a squad of only 12 players at the tournament.