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Taken from www.jamaicaobserver.com
Girlz tackle Mexico in CONCACAF U-17 Championships
ANDREW HANCEL in Trinidad & Tobago
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Luciano Gama, head coach of Jamaica's Under-17 Women's team, in animated mode at a training session in Bacolet, Tobago, yesterday. (Photo: Andrew Hancel) BACOLET, Tobago - A confident start will be crucial when the Reggae Girlz tackle Mexico in the feature Group B match of the CONCACAF Women's Under-17 Championships here today.
Both teams culminate the day's official opening at the Dwight Yorke Stadium at 6:00 pm (Jamaica time), two hours after Canada and Puerto Rico kickoff the championships.
Eight countries are vying for top-three qualifying spots to compete at the inaugural FIFA Women's Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand.
Action in Group A gets underway tomorrow at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya on the larger island of Trinidad, with Costa Rica playing the United States before El Salvador take on the host nation.
Jamaica will start as underdogs as they are yet to beat the Tricolores at any level in Women's football. But the Girlz are keen on breaking that jinx, particularly with this present crop of players believed to be the best of any of Jamaica's female teams.
Both teams were able to conduct one training session after arriving in Tobago yesterday morning and will be eager to match their skills at this level.
Sixteen-year-old captain Monique Pryce, who is a member of the national Senior team, leads from the left-back position as Jamaica envisage a historic and unprecedented victory.
Striker and leading goalscorer in the preliminary round,
Vanessa Ramsay, will lead the attack, along with Elise Procope. In central midfield Canada-based Cathryn Rogers plays in front of holding midfielder Sasalee Cooper, with Jodian Morris at left midfield and Sashana Campbell on the right.
St Jago student Melissa Madden and Zovel Hyre of Canada are paired at centre back to help safeguard Florida-based Keely Williams in goal, while Nugene Nugent of St Hugh's will start at right back.
Head coach Luciano Gama admits his girls face a difficult task against their Spanish rivals and Canada, but nonetheless will be aiming for victory.
"We come to do our best and I believe in the talent of these girls," Gama told the Observer yesterday after the team completed a one-hour training session at the match venue.
Brazilian Gama added that the size of the oppositions could factor in the game; however, they are undaunted.
"You can see the size of the Mexicans; they're a big team, a strong team. But we just don't know how technical they are. and we're just hoping that we can balance that physical difference with the technical (ability) of our girls," said Gama.
Gama will apply the classical 4-4-2 formation and is also banking of the experienced trio of Pryce and the Canadian pair - all members of the Under-20 team - to propel the team to a monumental achievement.
Meanwhile, assistant coach of Mexico, Carlos Cuellar Sipe, informed the Observer that after two months of preparation for this decisive leg, the Mexicans are confident of victory.
Jamaica Squad - Goalkeepers Keeley Williams, Shena Wint; defenders Zovel Hyre, Melissa Madden, Jodian Morris, Nugene Negent, Kession Walker, Ornella Gray, Monique Pryce (captain); midfielders Sasalee Cooper, Cathryn Rogers, Sashana Campbell, Carla Daniels, Shanise Foster, Shenika Williams, Davia Smith; forwards Trudi Carter, Elise Procope, Toni Cowan, Vanessa Ramsay.
Talk Back
Girlz tackle Mexico in CONCACAF U-17 Championships
ANDREW HANCEL in Trinidad & Tobago
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Luciano Gama, head coach of Jamaica's Under-17 Women's team, in animated mode at a training session in Bacolet, Tobago, yesterday. (Photo: Andrew Hancel) BACOLET, Tobago - A confident start will be crucial when the Reggae Girlz tackle Mexico in the feature Group B match of the CONCACAF Women's Under-17 Championships here today.Both teams culminate the day's official opening at the Dwight Yorke Stadium at 6:00 pm (Jamaica time), two hours after Canada and Puerto Rico kickoff the championships.
Eight countries are vying for top-three qualifying spots to compete at the inaugural FIFA Women's Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand.
Action in Group A gets underway tomorrow at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya on the larger island of Trinidad, with Costa Rica playing the United States before El Salvador take on the host nation.
Jamaica will start as underdogs as they are yet to beat the Tricolores at any level in Women's football. But the Girlz are keen on breaking that jinx, particularly with this present crop of players believed to be the best of any of Jamaica's female teams.
Both teams were able to conduct one training session after arriving in Tobago yesterday morning and will be eager to match their skills at this level.
Sixteen-year-old captain Monique Pryce, who is a member of the national Senior team, leads from the left-back position as Jamaica envisage a historic and unprecedented victory.
Striker and leading goalscorer in the preliminary round,
Vanessa Ramsay, will lead the attack, along with Elise Procope. In central midfield Canada-based Cathryn Rogers plays in front of holding midfielder Sasalee Cooper, with Jodian Morris at left midfield and Sashana Campbell on the right.
St Jago student Melissa Madden and Zovel Hyre of Canada are paired at centre back to help safeguard Florida-based Keely Williams in goal, while Nugene Nugent of St Hugh's will start at right back.
Head coach Luciano Gama admits his girls face a difficult task against their Spanish rivals and Canada, but nonetheless will be aiming for victory.
"We come to do our best and I believe in the talent of these girls," Gama told the Observer yesterday after the team completed a one-hour training session at the match venue.
Brazilian Gama added that the size of the oppositions could factor in the game; however, they are undaunted.
"You can see the size of the Mexicans; they're a big team, a strong team. But we just don't know how technical they are. and we're just hoping that we can balance that physical difference with the technical (ability) of our girls," said Gama.
Gama will apply the classical 4-4-2 formation and is also banking of the experienced trio of Pryce and the Canadian pair - all members of the Under-20 team - to propel the team to a monumental achievement.
Meanwhile, assistant coach of Mexico, Carlos Cuellar Sipe, informed the Observer that after two months of preparation for this decisive leg, the Mexicans are confident of victory.
Jamaica Squad - Goalkeepers Keeley Williams, Shena Wint; defenders Zovel Hyre, Melissa Madden, Jodian Morris, Nugene Negent, Kession Walker, Ornella Gray, Monique Pryce (captain); midfielders Sasalee Cooper, Cathryn Rogers, Sashana Campbell, Carla Daniels, Shanise Foster, Shenika Williams, Davia Smith; forwards Trudi Carter, Elise Procope, Toni Cowan, Vanessa Ramsay.
Talk Back