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"We're not getting our butts kicked." Lauryn Williams on the U.S.-Jamaica rivalry. -
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Young-Girlz-battle-Haiti-to-tame-draw_10959205#ixzz1oKllHjTp
Young Girlz battle Haiti to tame draw
SEAN WILLIAMS @ THE CONCACAF in Panama U-20 WOMEN’S Championship in Panama
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
PANAMA CITY, Panama — Jamaica's Reggae Girlz ended their campaign in the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship here in anti-climatic fashion when they played to a tame 0-0 draw with rivals at the Romel Fernandez Stadium yesterday.
Though both Caribbean teams ended the tournament with a point each by virtue of last evening's draw, Jamaica finished third because they conceded less goals than their neighbours.
Haiti were blanked 5-0 by Canada and then 10-0 by Mexico in their previous Group A games, while Jamaica opened against Mexica, losing 1-3 and then 0-2 to Canada.
The CONCACAF powerhouses, who were due for a late showdown last night for group honours, have advanced to the semi-finals on maximum six points and they will meet the USA and hosts Panama from Group B.
USA are on top in the group as they have registered 6-0 wins over Cuba and Guatemala, while Panama edged Cuba 2-1 and Guatemala 3-1.
The humdinger that was expected between Jamaica and Haiti didn't materialise as both teams could not find the tonic to push it up a notch.
Like a serpent tasting the air for what prey may be in the vicinity, both teams spent the first half an hour feeling out each other -- none showing a desire to strike.
Still, Jamaica looked the better organised team coming out of their defensive sanctuary into the attacking limelight, but the final showdown in that decisive area frequently lacked spark.
Jamaica's first telling offensive move came in the 28th minute from a set piece when captain Trudi Carter tested the Haitian goalkeeper Cynthia Chery from 25 yards, but the latter rose to tip over.
But six minutes later, the Jamaicans should have taken the lead when Carla Daniels exploded down the right flank and finished off the enterprising run with a pin-point cross to Kimberly Spence arriving in the box, but the latter unbelievably fired straight to the goalkeeper from 12 yards.
The general lethargic pace of the game in the 45 minutes was indicative of the lack of inspiration between two teams that were in essence playing for pride. But even so, they appeared short on enthusiasm.
The Girlz commenced the second half looking goal hungry as they stormed the Haitian goal with a couple of promising moves. In the 46th minute, a mix-up in the opposing defence bounced favourably for Spence, whose resulting blast zipped over the horizontal from 22 yards.
Three minutes later, Marlo Sweatman got into the act with a blistering right-footed freekick that took a deflection and went out for a corner.
Haiti went down to 10 players in the 51st minute when Sindy Jeaune was shown the red card for a dangerous tackle on Carter.
In what had now become a constant bombardment of the Haitian goal, Jamaica still could not find a way through a stubborn defence.
But in the 66th minute, a neat give-and-go between Spence and Alika Keene ended with the latter cannoning wide of the target from inside the 18-yard box.
With a minute left, substitute Shenika Williams went for a long range shot to change the flavour of the Jamaican attack since passing their way to goal was not doing the trick, but her shot was high and harmless.
Only the two top teams from each of the two zones will progress to the semi-final, with both winners gaining automatic places to the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Japan from August 18 to September 9.
The third CONCACAF spot will be filled by the winner of the third-place play-off.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Young-Girlz-battle-Haiti-to-tame-draw_10959205#ixzz1oKllHjTp
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