U-17 Girlz clip Cayman, win group

[Karl]

U-17 Girlz clip Cayman, win group
Livingston Scott Observer staff reporter
Sunday, November 25, 2007


ST JOHN'S, Antigua - Jamaica advanced to the second phase of the Under-17 World Cup Qualifiers here at the Yasco Sport Complex yesterday, after scoring a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Cayman Islands in their top-of-the-table Group B encounter.


Vanessa Ramsay opened the scoring after 11 minutes, before an own-goal gave the Jamaicans a 2-0 cushion.
But a late goal from Sophie Roberts gave the Cayman team a lifeline in the closing moments of the game.






http://www.reggaeboyzsc.com/articles...223&category=1

[Karl]

The crowd-pleaser...little Jodian Morris

Morris: Ja's crowd pleaser at U-17 Qualifiers
BY LIVINGSTON SCOTT Observer staff reporter
Sunday, November 25, 2007


WHEN Jamaica's Under-20 Girlz went to The Bahamas for their first round World Cup qualifiers back in August, little Jodian Morris was without a doubt the crowd favourite of the tournament, which included the hosts and Antigua & Barbuda.


Both the majority Jamaicans and the local public at the two games fell in love with the stocky pint-size player with the deft touch and elusive dribbles.

Here in Antigua & Barbuda for the inaugural Under-17 Qualifiers, the story is very much the same, as the watching public have again taken Morris into their hearts.

Although she is yet to score in the tournament, she has been one of the team's most influential attackers, with four assists in the opening game against US Virgin Islands.

In the second game against the hosts on Friday, Morris took a while to get into her stride, but when she did, Jamaica got better, and the crowd got more involved, especially when she was in possession.
Jamaica's hat-trick hero Shenika Williams and Vanessa Ramsay (right) both end up in the net after Jamaica's fourth goal against Antigua & Barbuda on Friday as Antigua's Heidi (left) Thomas tries to clear. Jamaica won 7-0. (Photo courtesy of Antigua Sun)
A polite and positive person, Morris is a hard worker - in training and in matches - who believes she can become one of the world's best players one day.

A resident of the volatile Tawes Pen community in Spanish Town, Morris said she started playing football at age of seven with boys in her community, whom she said influenced her. She always tells them that she would be a footballer and win a final some day.
"At first, they did not believe me, but eventually they are seeing that I am succeeding at it," she said.

Morris said she tried to keep her passion for football hidden from her father, Reginald Morris.
"But when he found out that I was playing for my school, he was pleased as he saw me play and was impressed by my performance and he even encouraged me more," she declared.

Jodian started playing competitively for Spanish Town Primary, scoring one goal against McCauley Primary on their way to the semi-final in her first season, then scored five goals the next season as her school made the final, but lost.

She said people have always responded to her that way whenever they see her play.
"Whenever people see me play, they always love me and how I play and I'm always their favourite, and others always look up to me as well, so I always try to be on the right track and be positive," said the 15-year-old third-former.

However, she said it was while playing for St Jago that her real career began.

While playing at forward for primary school, she impressed then St Jago coach Donald Cleary, who came to her school and spoke with her grade six teacher Ms Cameron, who told her she would be going to St Jago to play football.
"But I failed two subjects in my GSAT that year, so I went to Melrose Primary and Junior High and carried up my grades and I went to St Jago in second form and it was from there that my football career got bigger and more exciting," she beamed.

Immediately, she became a vital part of the team and is seen as one of the best ever female players to grace the institution.
Although everyone treats her like a normal person at school, she said when she is on the field they are excited and supportive and it is a totally different story.

Damion Morris, Morris's cousin, has been the biggest influence. Morris said she always tries to emulate him. "But my football idol is Ronaldinho," she included.

A very versatile player, Morris has played most of her career as a forward; however, this year she found herself playing more as a midfielder - a position she said she enjoys more.

"Because I can still score goals and help my team to defend," she said, adding that she hopes to continue playing for a long while and believes she can become one of the top players in the world one day.
"Because it's the "in thing" now to make your name in the world. Once you express yourself like you, it can be awesome and wonderful," she said.
A strong believer in God, Jodian said the present U-17 team can go a far way, along with more experienced players like Monique Pryce and Melissa Madden.

Morris, who also plays for Maverley/Hughenden in the local Women's' League, is happy she chose football, as it has changed her life in a positive way.
"If it wasn't for football I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be the Jody that everybody knows; I would just be a normal person, so I'm happy I chose football and I thank God for helping me to succeed because it really changed my life," she said.

One of her greatest desires is to get her mother to watch her play. Although the latter lives with her, she has never been to one of her matches - a situation Morris is hoping will change soon.

However, her father, a former player with Albion FC, has been there for her all the way.
"If I am to climb a mountain he believes I can. He's a 100 per cent behind me," she stated, adding that she always tries to be positive in whatever she does.