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Young Girlz leave for qualifiers in Bahamas
Livingston Scott, Observer staff reporter
Thursday, July 26, 2007
THE Under-20 Reggae Girlz leave the island today for the Bahamas, where they will face the host country and Haiti in the first round of the Caribbean qualifiers in the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The tournament was scheduled to kickoff yesterday with the hosts facing Haiti. Jamaica will open their account tomorrow against Haiti and then face the Bahamas on Sunday at the BFA National Football Development Centre. The winner of the three-team tournament will advance to the next round.
The 2008 FIFA Women's Under-20 World Cup will be staged in Chile.
Coach Xavier Gilbert said the team has been preparing for over three weeks and he is pleased with the girls' commitment.
"We started the 3rd (of July) and the preparation was sort of slow. It was always a challenge for us, but the girls were committed. They responded to the training... and we saw some improvements... we hope to continue... so we can do our country proud," Gilbert told the Observer.
"I was not satisfied with three weeks (preparation). It wasn't our fault or the fault of the Federation (JFF) because it was on very short notice that the invitation was given to us by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) for the tournament," Gilbert explained.
"But we just have to work with it. We did what we could... within the three weeks and... what we got done...," he added.
The Excelsior and Waterhouse Women's team coach believes getting by the hosts will not be much of a problem. However, he knows the Haitians will be a much bigger concern.
"The top three teams in the region are Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) and Haiti. The unfortunate thing is that we drew Haiti first... however, the most unfortunate thing is that we travel on the 26th and play Haiti on the 27th, so we'll not get any chance to see them because they would have already played the Bahamas."
Goalkeeper Paula Jackson and midfielder Christina Murray, two senior members of the Reggae Girlz team at the recent Pan Am Games in Brazil, have recovered from injuries suffered in the South American country and have been named in this young team.
That senior team returned home on Monday. However, Shereene Clarke, who was also in Brazil, will not be able to make the trip, while the team will also miss key St Jago duo Mellisa Madden and Kemeisha Woodbine through injuries.
The 17-member squad is: Goalkeepers Tameka Barrette and Paula Jackson; defenders Shareca Stevens, Shanise Steele, Shevine Webster; midfielders Marcilee McBean, Christina Murray, Monique Pryce, Trudy Ann Douglas, Kimmia Parker, Peta-Gaye Soman; forwards Kimesha Wilmot, Shakira Duncan, Jodian Morris, Simone Honighan, Shanique Mitchell and Natasha Douglas.
The delegation is completed by Raymond Grant, head of delegation and team manager; Xavier Gilbert, coach; Junior Francis, assistant coach; Dr Alfred Dawes, team doctor and Karen Parker, physiotherapist.
Livingston Scott, Observer staff reporter
Thursday, July 26, 2007
THE Under-20 Reggae Girlz leave the island today for the Bahamas, where they will face the host country and Haiti in the first round of the Caribbean qualifiers in the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The tournament was scheduled to kickoff yesterday with the hosts facing Haiti. Jamaica will open their account tomorrow against Haiti and then face the Bahamas on Sunday at the BFA National Football Development Centre. The winner of the three-team tournament will advance to the next round.
The 2008 FIFA Women's Under-20 World Cup will be staged in Chile.
Coach Xavier Gilbert said the team has been preparing for over three weeks and he is pleased with the girls' commitment.
"We started the 3rd (of July) and the preparation was sort of slow. It was always a challenge for us, but the girls were committed. They responded to the training... and we saw some improvements... we hope to continue... so we can do our country proud," Gilbert told the Observer.
"I was not satisfied with three weeks (preparation). It wasn't our fault or the fault of the Federation (JFF) because it was on very short notice that the invitation was given to us by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) for the tournament," Gilbert explained.
"But we just have to work with it. We did what we could... within the three weeks and... what we got done...," he added.
The Excelsior and Waterhouse Women's team coach believes getting by the hosts will not be much of a problem. However, he knows the Haitians will be a much bigger concern.
"The top three teams in the region are Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) and Haiti. The unfortunate thing is that we drew Haiti first... however, the most unfortunate thing is that we travel on the 26th and play Haiti on the 27th, so we'll not get any chance to see them because they would have already played the Bahamas."
Goalkeeper Paula Jackson and midfielder Christina Murray, two senior members of the Reggae Girlz team at the recent Pan Am Games in Brazil, have recovered from injuries suffered in the South American country and have been named in this young team.
That senior team returned home on Monday. However, Shereene Clarke, who was also in Brazil, will not be able to make the trip, while the team will also miss key St Jago duo Mellisa Madden and Kemeisha Woodbine through injuries.
The 17-member squad is: Goalkeepers Tameka Barrette and Paula Jackson; defenders Shareca Stevens, Shanise Steele, Shevine Webster; midfielders Marcilee McBean, Christina Murray, Monique Pryce, Trudy Ann Douglas, Kimmia Parker, Peta-Gaye Soman; forwards Kimesha Wilmot, Shakira Duncan, Jodian Morris, Simone Honighan, Shanique Mitchell and Natasha Douglas.
The delegation is completed by Raymond Grant, head of delegation and team manager; Xavier Gilbert, coach; Junior Francis, assistant coach; Dr Alfred Dawes, team doctor and Karen Parker, physiotherapist.
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