Jamaica's Under-20 Reggae Girlz
(Concacaf Media)
Jamaica’s young Reggae Girlz chances of securing an historic FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup berth were dented by a 4-0 defeat to Canada in their opening Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championships Group A fixture at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Friday.
A brace from Anabelle Chukwu (39th and 45th) and one each from leading scorer Olivia Smith (56th) and substitute Renee Watson (90+4), made the points safe for the Canadians, who take an early lead in the group.
Reigning seven-time champions United States were leading Panama 3-0 at half-time in the second group contest at the same venue.
Canada could have won by a wider margin, had it not been for some excellent glove work by captain Liya Brooks in goal, as the Young Reggae Girlz, who were expected to use their pace and athleticism to good effect, offered very little resistance, both in defence and even more so on the attacking front.
This as the North Americans comfortably dominated possession, as they showed quality both on and off the ball and were fluent in their transitions from defence to attack.
Besides a couple of early warning shots, the young Reggae Girlz never really bothered Canada’s Faith Fenwick, who had a fairly relaxed day between the sticks.
After the Jamaicans were forced to pull Tiny Seaton, who came out worse in a head collision with teammate Njeri Lewis in the 36th minute, Canada capitalized on the weakened defensive line and broke the deadlock when Chukwu muscled her way into the 18-yard box to easily fire past Brooks.
The powerfully built Chukwu later grabbed a second when she dispossessed Destiny Powell and made no mistakes in a one-on-one situation with Brooks, to put Canada 2-0 up at the break.
Canada maintained their momentum on the resumption and should have extended the lead four minutes in when Amanda Allen found Chukwu deep inside the six-yard box. But the striker, sporting the number nine jersey, steered her left-footer wide from point blank range.
However, they made amends in the 56th through a nicely worked team build-up which ended with Captain Florianne Jourde laying off a pass for Smith, who drove a right-footed effort to Brooks’ weaker left side.
With space opened up for Canada’s attackers to do as they please, Jourde tried her range in the 62nd minute with a stinging left-footer from about 20 yards out, but the effort was equally well-saved by Brooks diving full-stretch to her right.
Another shot from a distance followed soon after, this time from the left foot with that effort having Brooks beaten but came back off the crossbar.
Brooks, who has been the understudy of senior Reggae Girlz counterparts Rebecca Spencer and Sydney Schneider in recent times, again came up big to deny Kayla Briggs’ 73rd-minute shot from close range.
However, a lapse in concentration by the defence opened the door for Canada to add another when Nyah Rose laid off a pass for the arriving Watson to finish with aplomb in time added.
With only two teams to progress from the group, the young Reggae Girlz task will be even more difficult as their next assignment will be the United States on Sunday. They will then close against Panama on May 30.
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and host nation Dominican Republic will decide Group B.
The two finalists and third-place team will represent the confederation at next year’s Under-20 World Cup.
Sherdon Cowan is a fix-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Cavalier take 1-0 advantage over H'View; Arnett, Mt Pleasant square at 2-2 in JPL semis
Cavalier Football Club’s Head coach Rudolph Speid says his team has no intentions of resting on their laurels, after edging reigning champions Harbour View 1-0, in the first leg of their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) semi-final tie at Sabina Park on Monday.
Orlando Russell’s second goal against Harbour View and third overall this season, proved the all-important strike that handed Speid’s youthful team the advantage ahead of Sunday’s return-leg at the same venue.
“What we tried to do was not to concede any goals and take what we got and that is what happened. But I think we need one or two more goals to be safe and so we will be pushing for that in the next game,” Speid said.
After playing out a goalless first half where both teams had their moments, Cavalier found the go-ahead goal seven minutes after the interval through a well-worked build up orchestrated by Nickache Murray.
Murray floated a delicate pass over the top, which was headed across by Jerome McCleary for Orlando Russell to apply the finishing touch at the far post.
Harbour View came close to pulling level in the 62nd minute, but Cristojaye Daley’s well-struck left-footed drive from a distance, was equally well-saved by Vino Barclett, diving full-stretch to his right, in goal for Cavalier.
Cavalier could have extended their lead in the latter stages when the league’s leading scorer Collin Anderson got away from Harbour View’s defenders but fired a right-footed effort straight at goalkeeper Romario Palma, despite having enough space and time to set and shoot.
For Harbour View’s Head coach Ludlow Bernard, its back to the training pitch to assess their mistakes and make the necessary adjustments for the second leg.
“We ran out of ideas up top and so we paid the price for it. We didn’t capitalize on what was probably a tired Cavalier team, but we have some things that we clearly need to look because we are now under one-nil, so we just have to reset and come again,” Bernard stated.
Meanwhile, the second semi-final between Arnett Gardens and Mount Pleasant remain evenly poised, as they played out an entertaining 2-2 stalemate in a game that ensured the large crowd did not leave disappointed.
The inform Leonardo Rankin (17th) and Trivante Stewart (63rd), got the goals for the St Ann-based Mount Pleasant, who went in front twice, but Shai Smith (30th) and Fabian Reid (66th), ensured Arnett Gardens, remained in contention.
It was mostly end-to-end action from the start, but it was Mount Pleasant that drew first blood when Rankin deflected Demario Phillips’s weighted corner kick past Eric Edwards in goal for Arnett Gardens.
However, the “Junglists” were back on level terms 13 minutes later when Ajuma Johnson’s weighted cross found the head of the rangy Smith, who made no mistakes in guiding past Shaquan Davis.
As the score remained unchanged at the break, both teams against came out firing on the resumption, throwing their weight in attack, but again, it was Mount Pleasant that found the go-ahead goal three minutes past the hour mark.
Stewart outsprinted two defenders before squeezing a right-footer past the advancing Edwards to register his 16th goal this season.
But the celebrations were short-lived, as Reid also registered his 16th goal of the season when he utilized a cheeky first touch to create space for a right-footed drive that had Davis well beaten.
Both teams continued to create chances and could have secured the advantage, but for a lack of composure in the final third.
Still, both Paul “Tegat” Davis of Arnett Gardens and his counterpart Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore, agreed that it was a fair result, as it is anybody’s game come Sunday.
Bradford eyes strong finish from young Reggae Girlz at U-20 Champs, hopes to stay on with programme, but calls for better preparation ahead of future tournaments
Despite a failed bid at an historic FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup qualification, Hugh Bradford is optimistic about staying on with the national programme, as he believes he has more to offer to Jamaica’s football development.
However, at the same time, the American-based coach is also hopeful that things will be done differently to better nurture, and, by extension, prepare the country’s young talents to perform in a competitive environment.
Bradford’s comments came, as he continues to assess the young Reggae Girlz performances in consecutive 0-4 losses to regional powerhouses Canada and United States, at the Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship in Dominican Republic.
The Girlz are scheduled to close out their Group A campaign against Panama at Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo on Tuesday at 2:00 pm.
“I hope to continue with the programme, but that will be up to the Jamaica Football Federation to decide. I also hope to see our country put things in place for our youngest players that will help to get them ready for this stage, both in Jamaica and abroad,” Bradford said.
“There is no doubt that we have a lot of talent. However, as a country, for us to play against the best, we have to constantly make changes to how we treat our football development to keep up with the world, but more so in Concacaf,” he added.
While disappointed that his young Reggae Girlz failed to keep the United States at bay on Sunday, Bradford lauded his team for putting in a much-improved performance, from a defensive perspective in particular, when compared to their opening defeat against Canada.
As such, the tactician is eyeing a similar of even better all-round execution against fellow strugglers Panama, as both teams, who are without a point or a goal, seek to salvage some pride from their failed campaigns.
“I am hoping the team will play another good game as they did against USA, we didn’t get on the scoresheet as we would have liked, but again, it all comes down to focus and how we prepare ourselves to take on the best,” the tactician noted.
“As a team you have to be at your best for 90+ minutes, so their fitness level matters and that is an all-year thing. But I think the ladies should be able to put in a better showing against Panama and so we look forward to what should be another good game,” said Bradford.
Both United States, the reigning seven-time champions, and Canada, on six points each, will lock horns in the Group A top-of-the-table clash, at 5:00 pm.
The winner will take on Group B runners-up Costa Rica, while the loser will have to contend with Mexico in Friday’s semi-finals.
The two finalists and third-place team will qualify for next year’s Under-20 World Cup.
Prolific Kevin van Veen hails Motherwell fans
Kevin van Veen revealed Motherwell fans have given him “the chills” with their support during his record-breaking season in front of goal.
The 31-year-old Dutch striker, who signed from Scunthorpe in 2021, scored 29 times for the Steelmen to help them secure seventh place in the cinch Premiership.
Van Veen scored for the 11th successive game during Well’s 3-2 win over Dundee United on Sunday to beat the post-war record set by former Celtic striker Mark Viduka and also break a Motherwell club record set by Hugh Ferguson that had stood for 103 years.
While his future is subject to speculation as his contract is up this summer, he told Motherwell’s official Twitter account how appreciative he is of the Fir Park fans.
He said: “I will remember this (season) forever,
“Whatever is going to happen in the summer, of course we need to see what is going to happen but these fans will be written in my mind forever.
“When they sing ‘Kevin van Veen’ and all that type of stuff gives me the chills.
“People have been so good for me since I arrived here.
“I think a lot of people fell in love with me in my first game and that has continued and maybe even grown over time and I hope I have repaid them and I hope I got them off their seats here and there.
“To get 29 goals for those people who have supported me the way they did, I am so happy that I have gave them something back because they have been amazing to me.”
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