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Taken from www.jamaicaobserver.com
Girlz target Canada in World Cup Qualifier
HOWARD WALKER
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Puebla, Mexico - Jamaica, still smarting from their 1-3 defeat against Costa Rica on Tuesday, face a Herculean task of upsetting group favourites Canada in their second game of the CONCACAF Women's Group B Qualifiers today, starting at 1:00 pm.
In the other Group B encounter at the Estadio Cuauthemoc, the impressive- looking Costa Rica should secure win number two against a weak Nicaraguan team.
Costa Rica lead the group with three points - the same as Canada, but with a superior goal difference - with Jamaica and Nicaragua pointless after one round of matches.
This is a must-win game for Jamaica and it is against a Canadian team they have never beaten at any level. If the young Reggae Girlz are to advance, they will have to create history against one of the top female footballing nations in the world.
But the time could be right as the Canadians did not look their efficient selves against Nicaragua, and this has the Jamaican contingent quietly optimistic.
Coach Xavier Gilbert, who along with Walter Gama watched the Canadians in action, thinks Jamaica have already played the top team in the group, Costa Rica.
Said Gilbert: "After seeing all four teams we should have no problem. I don't think they are as tough as they should be. The Nicaraguans are short and they created problems for them.
"If we play to our true potential and get it right we should have no problem. But just like Jamaica, Canada probably had a bad day, but they are slow at the back, so we will use our pace to unsettle them," Gilbert declared.
Jamaica had a light workout in the pool yesterday morning before completing their evening workout at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario, and head coach Luciano Gama is satisfied the girls are ready.
"We need to change the attitude to a winner's attitude. The JFF gives everything to make the programme better. We're going to make the best against Canada. For 10 or 15 minutes in the first half we got so many opportunities and once we correct the mistake we will be good," said the Brazilian.
Gama will use the same starting team, employing the 4-4-2 formation. Although conceding three goals last time out, 18-year-old Nicole McClure remains in goal, with Marcillee McBean, Shanise Steele, Monique Price and Natasha Douglas in the backline, which should be severely tested by Monica Lam-Fiest and Julie Armstrong.
The talented Kimmia Parker will have to step up, along with captain Christina Murray, Peta-Gay Soman and Jody Bethune in midfield.
The Jamaicans were lacking a natural ball winner in the middle and that could be another problem against the strongly built Canadians, led by Allysha Chapman and Kaylyn Kyle in midfield.
The speedy Shakira Duncan will again be partnered by the bustling Kemesha Woodfine in attack and could create problems for the Canadians with their speed and strength.
Talk Back
Girlz target Canada in World Cup Qualifier
HOWARD WALKER
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Puebla, Mexico - Jamaica, still smarting from their 1-3 defeat against Costa Rica on Tuesday, face a Herculean task of upsetting group favourites Canada in their second game of the CONCACAF Women's Group B Qualifiers today, starting at 1:00 pm.
In the other Group B encounter at the Estadio Cuauthemoc, the impressive- looking Costa Rica should secure win number two against a weak Nicaraguan team.
Costa Rica lead the group with three points - the same as Canada, but with a superior goal difference - with Jamaica and Nicaragua pointless after one round of matches.
This is a must-win game for Jamaica and it is against a Canadian team they have never beaten at any level. If the young Reggae Girlz are to advance, they will have to create history against one of the top female footballing nations in the world.
But the time could be right as the Canadians did not look their efficient selves against Nicaragua, and this has the Jamaican contingent quietly optimistic.
Coach Xavier Gilbert, who along with Walter Gama watched the Canadians in action, thinks Jamaica have already played the top team in the group, Costa Rica.
Said Gilbert: "After seeing all four teams we should have no problem. I don't think they are as tough as they should be. The Nicaraguans are short and they created problems for them.
"If we play to our true potential and get it right we should have no problem. But just like Jamaica, Canada probably had a bad day, but they are slow at the back, so we will use our pace to unsettle them," Gilbert declared.
Jamaica had a light workout in the pool yesterday morning before completing their evening workout at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario, and head coach Luciano Gama is satisfied the girls are ready.
"We need to change the attitude to a winner's attitude. The JFF gives everything to make the programme better. We're going to make the best against Canada. For 10 or 15 minutes in the first half we got so many opportunities and once we correct the mistake we will be good," said the Brazilian.
Gama will use the same starting team, employing the 4-4-2 formation. Although conceding three goals last time out, 18-year-old Nicole McClure remains in goal, with Marcillee McBean, Shanise Steele, Monique Price and Natasha Douglas in the backline, which should be severely tested by Monica Lam-Fiest and Julie Armstrong.
The talented Kimmia Parker will have to step up, along with captain Christina Murray, Peta-Gay Soman and Jody Bethune in midfield.
The Jamaicans were lacking a natural ball winner in the middle and that could be another problem against the strongly built Canadians, led by Allysha Chapman and Kaylyn Kyle in midfield.
The speedy Shakira Duncan will again be partnered by the bustling Kemesha Woodfine in attack and could create problems for the Canadians with their speed and strength.
Talk Back
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