Reggae Girlz face tough test against hosts Brazil
CMC
Saturday, July 14, 2007
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CMC) - Jamaica's women footballers will have their toughest test yet when they meet Brazil today in the second preliminary match of the XV Pan American Games here.
The Reggae Girlz will be buoyant following their 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday, but are sure to be tested by the home team who beat Uruguay 4-0 also on Thursday.
The Group A match, slated for the Joao Havelange Stadium, is expected to be a sell-out, similar to Brazil's first encounter. With cold weather and rain in the forecast, the fitness levels of both teams will be tested in the top-of-the-table clash.
Jamaica will be without midfielder Omolyn Davis who was sent off in the second half of the win over Ecuador. She set up the 47th-minute goal which was converted by 20-year-old striker Tashana Vincent, but was sent off in the 70th minute after committing a nasty foul on Barbara Sanchez.
Brazil will be without the world's best player Marta, but even so, they remain a powerful team. On Thursday against Uruguay, Daniela Alves netted in the fourth minute and again in the 60th, while Cristiane netted in the eighth.
The player the Jamaicans will fear most, however, is Rosana who scored the third goal from 25 yards out, expertly bending the ball over the keeper and into the right hand corner.
There are nine teams in the tournament and the top two will qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
CMC
Saturday, July 14, 2007
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (CMC) - Jamaica's women footballers will have their toughest test yet when they meet Brazil today in the second preliminary match of the XV Pan American Games here.
The Reggae Girlz will be buoyant following their 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday, but are sure to be tested by the home team who beat Uruguay 4-0 also on Thursday.
The Group A match, slated for the Joao Havelange Stadium, is expected to be a sell-out, similar to Brazil's first encounter. With cold weather and rain in the forecast, the fitness levels of both teams will be tested in the top-of-the-table clash.
Jamaica will be without midfielder Omolyn Davis who was sent off in the second half of the win over Ecuador. She set up the 47th-minute goal which was converted by 20-year-old striker Tashana Vincent, but was sent off in the 70th minute after committing a nasty foul on Barbara Sanchez.
Brazil will be without the world's best player Marta, but even so, they remain a powerful team. On Thursday against Uruguay, Daniela Alves netted in the fourth minute and again in the 60th, while Cristiane netted in the eighth.
The player the Jamaicans will fear most, however, is Rosana who scored the third goal from 25 yards out, expertly bending the ball over the keeper and into the right hand corner.
There are nine teams in the tournament and the top two will qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.